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SB 2118

AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PRIMARY CARE TRAINING SITES PROGRAM

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Alana DiMario and 9 co-sponsors

Creates a state-funded program to contract with accredited primary care sites for training, up to $90,000 per site annually, meeting PCMH and behavioral health standards.

06/05/2026 Referred to House Health & Human Services
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Bill Summary · SB 2118

Overview

  • Bill: SB 2118
  • Session: 2026
  • Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
  • Title: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PRIMARY CARE TRAINING SITES PROGRAM
  • Purpose: Create and regulate a Primary Care Training Sites Program to support medical education at primary care practices that meet specific quality and care standards, with funding provided through contracts.

What the bill would do

  • Establish the authority and framework for the Office of Primary Care Training (the “Office”) to enter into contracts for medical education at primary care practice sites.
  • Allow contracts to fund training at primary care sites, with a maximum of $90,000 per primary care site recipient per calendar year.
  • Require contracting sites to meet specific quality and care standards, including:
    • Serve as enhanced interdisciplinary clinical training sites.
    • Maintain or achieve designated quality certifications/recognitions, such as:
    • NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) distinction
    • NCQA case management accreditation
    • PCMH designation by OHIC (Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner)
    • Recognition by other appropriate bodies (e.g., Joint Commission, AAAHC accreditation)
    • Provide integrated behavioral health services.
    • Offer an agreed-upon training curriculum for physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.
    • Include a training component with a minimum of up to five hours of didactic training, introducing trainees to PCMH concepts and how PCMH principles are operationalized in the delivery setting.

Definitions and structure

  • Key terms clarified, including:
    • Primary care site: a site or practice serving as the entry point to the healthcare system and focal point for required services.
    • PCMH: a patient-centered, team-based care model aimed at achieving maximal health outcomes.
    • OHIC: Rhode Island’s state agency designated to designate PCMH status.
    • AAAHC, NCQA, Joint Commission: accrediting/recognition bodies referenced as acceptable standards for contract eligibility.

Procedural and timeline details

  • Section 1 reorganizes the definitions and establishes the framework for the program within Chapter 23-17.30.
  • Section 2 authorizes the act to take effect upon passage.
  • Section 4 (within the contracts section) sets contract parameters and required terms (as described above).
  • Section 5 authorizes the director to promulgate rules and regulations to implement the provisions.
  • The act requires appropriation (funding is contingent on such appropriations).

Who is affected

  • Primary care practices that participate as training sites and receive funding under the program.
  • Medical education stakeholders (physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants) who would train at these sites.
  • The Office of Primary Care Training (established by the act) and the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner (OHIC) for PCMH designation considerations.
  • Accrediting and certification bodies (NCQA, AAAHC, Joint Commission) as benchmarks for site eligibility.

Potential impact

  • Enhanced clinical training capacity at primary care sites that meet high-quality care standards.
  • Promotion and reinforcement of PCMH principles across training sites, potentially improving patient care coordination and outcomes.
  • Financial support for training activities, up to $90,000 per site per year, enabling expanded education without surpassing contract limits.
  • Encouragement for primary care practices to pursue recognized quality credentials (PCMH, NCQA, AAAHC, Joint Commission) to qualify for program contracts.
  • Framework for integrating behavioral health services within primary care environments, aligning with holistic patient care models.

Summary

SB 2118 creates a state-supported Primary Care Training Sites Program allowing the Department of Health to fund and regulate primary care sites that serve as robust, accredited, interdisciplinary training environments. Sites must meet established quality standards (PCMH/NCQA/AAAHC recognition, integrated behavioral health, and an agreed-upon training curriculum) and provide didactic training focused on PCMH concepts. The program is funded through contracts not exceeding $90,000 per site per calendar year and is effective upon passage, with regulatory rules to be issued by the director.

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

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