Creating a Special Legislative Commission to Study Primary Care Medicine in Rhode Island

WHEREAS, Rhode Island is committed to improving health care to all residents of the state; and

WHEREAS, Primary care medicine is an integral part of health care; and

WHEREAS, The state of health care in Rhode Island could benefit from a coordinated forum to review existing initiatives, explore new policy options, and support the effective implementation of programs designed to promote and support the delivery of primary care medicine in Rhode Island; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission to study primary care medicine in Rhode Island is hereby created consisting of fourteen (14) members: Three (3) of whom shall be members of the House of Representatives, not more than two

(2) from the same political party, two (2) of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House and one of whom shall be appointed by the Minority Leader; one of whom shall be the president of the Rhode Island Medical Society, or designee; one of whom shall be the Attorney General, or designee; one of whom shall be the Director of the Department of Health, or designee; one of whom shall be the Director of the Department of Human Services, or designee; one of whom shall be the president of the Rhode Island Hospital Association, or designee; four

(4) of whom shall be primary care physicians, to be appointed ty the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be a nurse practitioner with experience in private practice economics, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; and one nurse practitioner with experience in primary care medicine, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House. In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a legislative study commission, or any commission created by a General Assembly resolution, the appointing authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu of a legislator; provided that, the majority leader or the minority leader of the political party which is entitled to the appointment consents to the appointment of the member of the general public. The purpose of said commission shall be to undertake a comprehensive study of the practice of primary care medicine in the state, including, but not limited to:

(1) Reviewing all forms of primary care medicine in Rhode Island, with particular emphasis placed on independently owned medical practices;

(2) Reviewing ways to increase revenue and reduce the financial burden of unpaid work;

(3) Focusing on short- and long-term solutions;

(4) Reviewing and assessing best practices in other states that have helped primary care practices grow and become more successful and viable; and

(5) Reviewing and assessing new funding methods, including new forms of federal funding, that could be made available for primary care medicine in the state. The study commission shall consult with other individuals who have relevant expertise as needed. Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet and organize, and shall select a chairperson from among the members. Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment. The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services. The commission shall exist for approximately two (2) years from the date of formation. All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information, documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the House no later than April 28, 2028, may issue interim reports prior to that date, and said commission shall expire on May 30, 2028. EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF HOUSERESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY PRIMARY CARE MEDICINE IN RHODE ISLAND *** This resolution would create a special legislative commission to study and provide recommendations relating to supporting primary care medicine in Rhode Island.