Woonsocket Radio News Room

Senate Approves Bill Enacting Obamacare Consumer Protections in State Law

STATE HOUSE – The Senate today approved legislation sponsored by Health and Human Services Committee Chairman Joshua Miller to enact many of the consumer-protection elements of the federal Affordable Care Act — commonly called “Obamacare” — into state law.

The bill would provide Rhode Islanders with permanent protections, even if the federal law is ever weakened or repealed.

“While I’m hopeful about the new administration and new control in Washington, the ACA has been under constant attack since the day it passed more than a decade ago. This legislation would insulate Rhode Islanders from threats to the ACA, safeguarding many of its basic protections in state law. Rhode Islanders have become accustomed to these rights, and they are critical protections for individuals and public health overall,” said Chairman Miller (D-Dist. 28, Cranston, Providence).

The bill (2021-S 0005A) would enact in state law protections including prohibitions on insurers denying coverage due to pre-existing conditions or refusing to issue or renew an individual’s policy, protecting them even if they are sick. It would protect the requirement that preventive services must be covered with no cost sharing, and the requirement that insurance policies cover ten essential health benefits:

1. Ambulatory patient services;
2. Emergency services;
3. Hospitalization;
4. Maternity and newborn care;
5. Mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment;
6. Prescription drugs;
7. Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices;
8. Laboratory services;
9. Preventive services, wellness services, and chronic disease management; and
10. Pediatric services, including oral and vision care.

The bill does not exceed the requirements of the federal ACA, require any new state funding or increase premium costs from current levels. It does not change Medicaid and would not have any new impacts on businesses.

“This bill makes no actual changes to anyone’s health care or costs. In fact, its purpose is to make sure health care doesn’t change, or at least is largely protected, if the ACA were ever overturned. Rhode Islanders’ health care protections shouldn’t be subject to Washington’s politics,” said Chairman Miller. 

The legislation now goes to the House of Representatives.