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H8557
2026 -- H 8557
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LC006448
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY PRIMARY CARE
MEDICINE IN RHODE ISLAND
Introduced By:
Representatives Hopkins, Donovan, Boylan, Knight, Speakman,
Solomon, Casimiro, Casey, Bennett, and Noret
Date Introduced:
May 15, 2026
Referred To:
House Health & Human Services
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WHEREAS, Rhode Island is committed to improving health care to all residents of the
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state; and
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WHEREAS, Primary care medicine is an integral part of health care; and
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WHEREAS, The state of health care in Rhode Island could benefit from a coordinated
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forum to review existing initiatives, explore new policy options, and support the effective
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implementation of programs designed to promote and support the delivery of primary care
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medicine in Rhode Island; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission to study primary care medicine in
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Rhode Island is hereby created consisting of fourteen (14) members:
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Three (3) of whom shall be members of the House of Representatives, not more than two
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(2) from the same political party, two (2) of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of the
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House and one of whom shall be appointed by the Minority Leader; one of whom shall be the
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president of the Rhode Island Medical Society, or designee; one of whom shall be the Attorney
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General, or designee; one of whom shall be the Director of the Department of Health, or
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designee; one of whom shall be the Director of the Department of Human Services, or designee;
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one of whom shall be the president of the Rhode Island Hospital Association, or designee; four
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(4) of whom shall be primary care physicians, to be appointed ty the Speaker of the House; one of
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whom shall be a nurse practitioner with experience in private practice economics, to be appointed
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by the Speaker of the House; and one nurse practitioner with experience in primary care
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medicine, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House.
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In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a legislative study
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commission, or any commission created by a General Assembly resolution, the appointing
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authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu of a legislator; provided
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that, the majority leader or the minority leader of the political party which is entitled to the
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appointment consents to the appointment of the member of the general public.
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The purpose of said commission shall be to undertake a comprehensive study of the
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practice of primary care medicine in the state, including, but not limited to:
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(1) Reviewing all forms of primary care medicine in Rhode Island, with particular
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emphasis placed on independently owned medical practices;
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(2) Reviewing ways to increase revenue and reduce the financial burden of unpaid work;
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(3) Focusing on short- and long-term solutions;
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(4) Reviewing and assessing best practices in other states that have helped primary care
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practices grow and become more successful and viable; and
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(5) Reviewing and assessing new funding methods, including new forms of federal
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funding, that could be made available for primary care medicine in the state. The study
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commission shall consult with other individuals who have relevant expertise as needed.
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Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet and
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organize, and shall select a chairperson from among the members.
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Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.
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The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.
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The commission shall exist for approximately two (2) years from the date of formation.
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All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,
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documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or
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desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the
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House no later than April 28, 2028, may issue interim reports prior to that date, and said
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commission shall expire on May 30, 2028.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY PRIMARY CARE
MEDICINE IN RHODE ISLAND
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This resolution would create a special legislative commission to study and provide
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recommendations relating to supporting primary care medicine in Rhode Island.
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