Rhode Island 2026 Regular Session

Rhode Island Senate Bill S2669

Introduced
2/27/26  

Caption

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

Summary

S2669 would require the Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services to provide Medicaid coverage for services furnished by licensed certified professional midwives, so long as those services fall within the midwife’s lawful scope of practice and are otherwise eligible under the Medicaid state plan or an approved waiver. The bill defines “certified professional midwife” by reference to accredited training, NARM certification, and Rhode Island licensure requirements. The bill also directs EOHHS to reimburse certified professional midwives using Medicaid reimbursement principles comparable to those applied to other maternity care providers for similar services. It prohibits imposing physician supervision, signature, or referral requirements on CPMs unless the same requirements apply to other providers for the same service. EOHHS would be required to adopt implementing regulations, including provider credentialing and enrollment rules, and to collect utilization and expenditure data beginning July 1, 2028, and annually thereafter.

Impact

This bill would amend Rhode Island’s Medical Assistance laws by adding a new Medicaid coverage mandate for certified professional midwife services. It would expand the set of maternity care providers eligible for Medicaid reimbursement and could affect EOHHS provider enrollment, payment methodology, and administrative rulemaking. The bill also includes a supremacy clause stating that its provisions control over conflicting state or local laws or regulations, and it would take effect immediately upon passage.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears generally supportive of expanding access to maternity care and recognizing certified professional midwives as Medicaid providers. The caption and structure suggest a policy goal of broadening coverage rather than restricting it, and there is no recorded committee debate or vote history in the provided materials indicating opposition or amendment activity. Overall, the available record reflects a straightforward, pro-coverage proposal with an administrative implementation focus.

Contention

The main potential points of contention are likely to be whether Medicaid should be required to cover CPM services at all, how CPM reimbursement should compare with other maternity care providers, and whether the bill could affect existing supervision or referral practices. Another possible issue is the requirement that EOHHS collect utilization and expenditure data, which may raise administrative or fiscal concerns. Because no committee transcripts or votes are provided, specific supporters or opponents cannot be identified from the available record.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

RI H6254

Authorizes office of health and human services (EOHHS) to establish coverage for obesity treatments, including medication. Office of health and human services would seek a 1115(a) waiver.

RI S0975

Provides medical assistance coverage for medical services provided qualifying eligible recipients for community based care.

RI S1004

Requires the executive office of health and human services to apply to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for a state plan amendment for reimbursement for health services in a school.

RI H6308

Requires the executive office of health and human services to apply to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for a state plan amendment for reimbursement for health services in a school.

RI S0333

Requires EOHHS to establish a 1-year pilot program for nutritional assistance and medically tailored meals, groceries and produce for peoples with diet-related diseases or food insecurity, and other interventions where there is a clinical need.

RI H5775

Requires EOHHS to establish a 1-year pilot program for nutritional assistance and medically tailored meals, groceries and produce for peoples with diet-related diseases or food insecurity, and other interventions where there is a clinical need.

RI H6373

Requires the executive office of health and human services to increase Medicaid payment rates for primary care services furnished by primary care providers to be commensurate with Medicare rates.

RI S0793

Increases individual, group, and Medicaid insurance rates of reimbursement for ambulance and wheelchair van services to be equal to reimbursement rates provided by Medicare for the same medical services.

RI H5772

Increases individual, group, and Medicaid insurance rates of reimbursement for ambulance and wheelchair van services to be equal to reimbursement rates provided by Medicare for the same medical services.

RI S0478

Establishes the scope of a certified professional midwife’s authority relating to prescribing medication to patients.

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