Bill > S2567

This bill, titled the "Universal and Unified Healthcare System Act" or "RICare Act," aims to establish a comprehensive, publicly financed, and publicly administered healthcare system for all residents of the state, ensuring universal access to medically necessary health services without premiums or cost-sharing. It creates a RICare board within the Department of Health, composed of sixteen members with diverse healthcare and consumer backgrounds, to oversee the development and implementation of this new system. The bill outlines a framework for reforming healthcare by prioritizing affordability, accessibility, transparency, and quality of care, with a focus on integrated physical and mental healthcare, and preserving the patient-provider relationship. It also mandates the establishment of a single payment system to control costs and reduce administrative overhead, and includes a broad range of covered medical benefits, such as primary, preventive, chronic, acute, behavioral health, prescription drugs, dental, vision, and long-term care. The RICare fund, established in the state treasury, will be the sole source of financing for the system, funded through various sources including state appropriations, federal funds (if waivers are obtained), grants, donations, and taxes. The bill also addresses implementation timelines, eligibility criteria, enrollment procedures, and the process for obtaining necessary federal waivers to integrate existing programs like Medicaid and Medicare into the RICare system, with the goal of taking effect upon passage.

Health and Social Services

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