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SB 2865

AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- DETERMINATION OF NEED FOR NEW HEALTHCARE EQUIPMENT AND NEW INSTITUTIONAL HEALTH SERVICES

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Gordon Rogers and 1 co-sponsor

Rhode Island bill restructures certificate-of-need approval process for new healthcare equipment and institutional services, balancing infrastructure access against regulatory oversight.

04/03/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/09/2026)
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Bill Summary · SB 2865

Legislative bill overview

SB 2865 establishes or modifies procedures for determining whether new healthcare equipment and institutional health services meet a "certificate of need" (CON) requirement in Rhode Island. These determinations assess whether proposed healthcare additions serve genuine community needs and prevent unnecessary duplication of services. The bill appears to restructure how the state evaluates and approves new healthcare infrastructure investments.

Why is this important

Certificate of need laws significantly impact healthcare access and costs by controlling which facilities can expand or acquire expensive equipment. The policy directly affects patients' ability to access new services, influences healthcare provider competition, and determines how healthcare capital flows through the state. Rhode Island's approach will influence both rural and urban healthcare availability.

Potential points of contention

  • Market access vs. regulation: Supporters argue CON protects against wasteful duplication; critics contend it reduces competition, stifles innovation, and limits patient choice by creating barriers to new providers entering markets
  • Rural healthcare equity: Determining need mechanisms may systematically disadvantage rural areas with smaller populations, potentially limiting their access to modern equipment and services
  • Implementation burden and transparency: Questions about who evaluates need, what criteria apply, how long approval takes, and whether the process creates predictable or arbitrary outcomes for healthcare providers

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

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