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HB 8268

AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE HEALTHCARE SERVICES FUNDING PLAN ACT

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Edith Ajello and 9 co-sponsors

The bill creates a new funded pathway where insurers contribute per-enrollee funding to support pediatric, perinatal, and maternal mental health services, via a restricted PRN fund

05/14/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 8268

Summary of HB 8268 (2026) – Rhode Island

Purpose and intent

  • Establishes the Healthcare Services Funding Plan Act framework to fund certain health services through insurer contributions.
  • Specifically expands funding to support primary care and mental health initiatives, including teleconsultation lines MomsPRN and PediPRN, through a dedicated revenue mechanism and a restricted-use account.

Key provisions and changes

  • Imposition of healthcare services funding contribution (Section 42-7.4-3):

    • Insurers must pay a healthcare services funding contribution for each contribution enrollee.
    • The annual contribution amount is calculated by:
    • The combined immunization funding requirements for children and adults (per § 23-1-46),
    • plus the children's health services funding requirement (§ 42-12-29),
    • divided by the total number of contribution enrollees across all insurers.
    • This contribution is in addition to any other insurer fees or assessments allowed by law.
    • Self-insured plans using a third-party administrator are exempt from contributing for a given enrollee if the third party has already paid or will pay that contribution.

  • Additional annual assessment (calendar year 2026 onward) (Section 42-7.4-3):

    • In addition to the base assessment, an extra total of $30,000,000 is assessed to support primary care and other critical health programs, including MomsPRN and PediPRN teleconsultation lines, deposited into general revenues.

  • Creation and use of the Psychiatry Resource Network (PRN) account (Section 23-1-46.1):

    • Establishes a restricted-receipt account in the General Fund, the PRN account, to fund:
    • PRN-related services (PediPRN, MomsPRN, teleconsultation lines, referrals, and mental health services for children, perinatal patients, and mothers).
    • Contributions deposited into the PRN account come from the section 42-7.4-3(a)(1)(iv) calculation.
    • Funds in the PRN account must be used solely for PRN purposes; no other uses.
    • Each year’s PRN funding requirement equals:
    • The Department of Health’s projected PRN service costs,
    • plus a 10% contingency for unexpected expenses,
    • minus any projected carryover of excess funds from prior years.
    • The Department of Health must file an annual cost report with the General Assembly by February 1 and provide insurers with detailed program/cost information upon request.
    • The PRN account is exempt from indirect cost recovery provisions.

  • Maternal and Child Health Services addition (Section 23-13-27):

    • Adds statutory authority to operate statewide the psychiatry resource network programs (PediPRN and MomsPRN) with funding sources including § 42-7.4-3.
    • The PRN program is exempt from indirect cost recovery provisions.

  • Effective date (Section 4): Takes effect upon passage.

Who is affected

  • Insurers (including health plans): Required to pay the healthcare services funding contribution for each contribution enrollee, with potential exclusions for self-insured plans using third-party administrators where the third party pays or will pay the contribution.
  • Self-insured employers/plans: Potential exemption for enrollees if a third-party administrator funds their contribution.
  • Rhode Island Department of Health: Administers the PRN account, projects annual costs, reports to the General Assembly, and manages PRN program operations (PediPRN, MomsPRN).
  • General Fund/State finances: Increases in recurring general revenues via the $30 million annual added assessment beginning in 2026.
  • Insurance regulators and health providers: Public reporting and program transparency requirements; expansion of telehealth/consultation services and mental health support networks.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Rulemaking and calculations: The annual funding contribution amount is recalculated each fiscal year by the formula tied to immunization funding and children's health services funding requirements, divided by total insurers’ contribution enrollees.
  • New restricted account and reporting: Establishment of the PRN account with annual cost projections, contingency planning, and carryover adjustments; annual reporting to the General Assembly by February 1.
  • Implementation timing: The added $30,000,000 annual assessment begins calendar year 2026.
  • Effectiveness: The act takes effect upon passage.

Practical impact and considerations

  • The bill centralizes funding for pediatric, perinatal, and maternal mental health services via a novel funding mechanism tied to existing immunization and health service funding requirements.
  • It pairs a broader insurer contribution with a targeted, restricted fund (PRN) intended to stabilize and expand pediatric and maternal mental health telehealth services (PediPRN, MomsPRN) and related referrals.
  • Providers and families may see expanded access to teleconsultation and mental health support through the PRN-funded initiatives.
  • State finances would see a new recurring revenue stream dedicated to the PRN account and related programs, subject to annual appropriation and reporting.

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

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