H 7273Healthcare: Licensing & Accreditation

Businesses and Professions - Interstate Medical Licensure Compact

This bill requires Rhode Island to join a medical licensing group by 2026, allowing patients to use out-of-state telemedicine doctors.

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Introduced Jan 23, 2026Committee House Health & Human Services

Plain-English Summary

This legislation mandates that Rhode Island complete all necessary requirements to fully implement the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact by July 1, 2026. Additionally, it establishes a new chapter in state law regarding telemedicine. The bill ensures that all in-state residents have access to telemedicine services and specifically authorizes patients to receive care from out-of-state providers through the medical licensure compact. The Department of Health and the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner are directed to establish the necessary rules and regulations to execute these provisions.

For younger readers

This law helps people in Rhode Island see doctors using a computer or phone, which is called telemedicine. Sometimes, the best doctor for a sick person might live in another state. This law makes sure that Rhode Island finishes joining a special group by the summer of 2026. This group agrees to let doctors from other places help patients here. It tells the people in charge of health rules to make sure this system works so everyone can get the care they need, even if the doctor is far away.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

PatientsPhysiciansRhode Island Department of HealthOffice of Health Insurance CommissionerHealth Insurance Companies

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

Amount unknown

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Increases equitable access to healthcare by allowing residents in underserved or rural areas to connect with specialists and providers in other states via telemedicine.
Strengthens the social safety net by ensuring that patients with complex or rare conditions can access necessary expertise that may not be available locally within the state.
Encourages systemic reform in healthcare delivery by breaking down geographic barriers, potentially reducing wait times for appointments and improving overall community health outcomes.
May encourage the "corporatization" of healthcare, where large, out-of-state telehealth companies undercut local community providers, potentially destabilizing the local medical workforce.
Could complicate regulatory oversight and accountability, making it harder for the state to protect patients from malpractice or substandard care delivered by providers outside Rhode Island's direct jurisdiction.
Might lead to a two-tiered system where those with good technology and internet access benefit, while the poorest residents without digital literacy or broadband are left behind.

For Conservatives

Promotes free market competition by allowing out-of-state providers to offer services in Rhode Island, potentially driving down costs and improving service quality through choice.
Enhances individual liberty by giving patients the freedom to choose their own doctors regardless of state lines, rather than being restricted to government-defined geographic boundaries.
Reduces bureaucratic friction for medical professionals by streamlining the licensing process through the compact, allowing for more efficient operation of medical businesses.
Erodes state sovereignty by deferring licensing standards and authority to an interstate compact rather than keeping full control within the Rhode Island legislature.
Increases government bureaucracy by mandating that state agencies create new rules and regulations to manage the implementation of the compact and telemedicine provisions.
Raises potential privacy concerns regarding the sharing of patient and provider data across state lines with other compact member states.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 10 additions

SECTION 1. Chapter 5-91 of the General Laws entitled "Interstate Medical Licensure Compact" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 5-91-26. Implementation. This chapter shall be implemented and the state is hereby directed to complete all necessary membership requirements no later than July 1, 2026.

SECTION 2. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter: 23-104-1. Telemedicine and out-of-state medicine.

(a) All in-state residents shall have access to telemedicine in accordance with chapter 81 of title 27.

(b) Patients may receive telemedicine services, including services from out-of-state providers pursuant to chapter 91 of title 5 ("interstate medical licensure compact").

(c) The department of health and the office of health insurance commissioner shall implement rules and regulations, as necessary, to carry out the provisions of this section.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.