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SB 50

AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - CATASTROPHIC ILLNESS IN CHILDREN RELIEF FUND

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Alana DiMario and 9 co-sponsors

Rhode Island establishes a relief fund providing financial assistance to families with catastrophically ill children to help cover medical and living expenses during treatment.

06/03/2025 Senate read and passed
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Bill Summary · SB 50

Legislative bill overview

SB 50 establishes a Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund in Rhode Island to provide financial assistance to families of children facing severe, life-threatening medical conditions. The bill creates a mechanism for collecting and distributing funds to help offset the extraordinary expenses families incur during catastrophic pediatric illness, including medical costs not covered by insurance and living expenses during treatment.

Why is this important

Families with catastrophically ill children often face financial devastation from uncovered medical expenses, travel costs for specialized treatment, and lost income when parents must leave work for caregiving. This fund addresses a genuine gap in the social safety net by providing direct relief to vulnerable families during their most critical moments, potentially preventing medical bankruptcy and improving treatment outcomes by reducing financial stress.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding source unclear: The bill's legislative history shows committee concerns about the mechanism for financing the fund; without dedicated revenue sources, it may struggle to meet demand or require general fund appropriations
  • Eligibility criteria and administration: Determining which conditions qualify as "catastrophic" and how funds are distributed fairly raises questions about oversight, application processes, and potential waitlists
  • Sustainability and scale: As written, the fund's capacity to serve all eligible families remains uncertain, creating questions about whether it addresses the problem comprehensively or serves only a small portion of needy families

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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