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SR 2465

SENATE RESOLUTION RESPECTFULLY URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO PROTECT PATIENTS AND TRADITIONAL MEDICARE FROM MEDICARE ADVANTAGE

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jonathon Acosta and 10 co-sponsors

Rhode Island urges federal action to strengthen Traditional Medicare by increasing MA transparency, oversight, and protections, shifting funds toward TM.

05/05/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · SR 2465

Summary of Rhode Island Senate Resolution SR 2465 (2026)

What the bill is

  • Type: Senate Resolution
  • Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
  • Session: 2026
  • Title: “Respectfully Urging the United States Congress to Protect Patients and Traditional Medicare from Medicare Advantage”
  • Introduced: February 6, 2026
  • Primary sponsors: Senators Ujifusa, Ciccone, Tikoian, DiMario, Lauria, Valverde, Kallman, Murray, Mack, Acosta, Quezada (co-sponsors listed)

1) Purpose and intent

  • The resolution urges federal action to protect Traditional Medicare (TM) from perceived shortcomings and profit-driven practices within Medicare Advantage (MA, Part C).
  • It frames TM as the core, publicly run option with broader provider access, versus MA plans, which are private plans that may limit networks and rely on private profits.
  • The resolution calls for federal legislation and administrative action to prioritize patient care over corporate profits and to expand TM.

2) Key provisions and changes proposed (as directives to federal action)

The resolution sets forth nine specific actions for federal authorities (CMS and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) to pursue:

  1. Transparency and accountability for MA plans:

    • Require MA plans to retain and provide information, contracts, documents, and financial data for taxpayers and enrollees.

  2. Enhanced oversight and fraud prevention:

    • Increase MA plan audits to identify overpayments and fraud.

  3. Marketing transparency for MA plans:

    • Regulate MA marketing to ensure potential enrollees receive full disclosure of risks, drawbacks, and possible future costs.

  4. Protections for disadvantaged groups:

    • Reduce incentives or requirements that steer historically disadvantaged groups toward inferior MA plans over TM.

  5. Prohibitions on MA profit-driven practices that harm care:

    • Bar upcoding, cherry-picking (marketing to healthier enrollees) or lemon-dropping (pushing sicker enrollees out), and overly aggressive utilization management that delays/denies care or timely payments.

  6. Network adequacy safeguards:

    • Prohibit MA plans from limiting coverage for specialty care through overly narrow provider networks.

  7. Retirement benefits and TM enrollment option:

    • Require employers offering retirement benefits to provide an option to enroll in Traditional Medicare.

  8. Legal action and recovery:

    • Collaborate with the Justice Department to prosecute and recover improper payments.

  9. Reallocation of funds:

    • Redirect funds that currently enrich MA plans to activities that protect and expand Traditional Medicare.

3) Who and what is affected

  • Targeted beneficiaries: Medicare enrollees, including retirees and those eligible for TM or MA.
  • MA plans and private insurers offering Medicare Advantage products.
  • Employers administering retiree health benefits.
  • Federal agencies: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); potential collaboration with the Department of Justice.
  • State impact: The resolution expresses Rhode Island’s stance and asks federal action; it does not impose direct state-level changes but seeks federal reforms.

4) Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: Introduced February 6, 2026; referred to Senate Health & Human Services.
  • Schedule: A hearing/consideration is listed for May 5, 2026.
  • Action requested: The Secretary of State is authorized to transmit certified copies of the resolution to federal representatives (U.S. House and Senate clerks) and Rhode Island’s congressional delegation.

5) Context and rationale (as presented in the resolution)

  • Background on Medicare structure: TM (Original Medicare) vs. MA (Part C) and Part D prescription drug plans; TM historically run by the government with broader networks, while MA is privately operated.
  • And concerns highlighted:
    • MA enrollment has grown (54% of eligible beneficiaries in 2024 per the text).
    • Issues cited include higher payments to MA plans relative to TM, marketing practices, restricted provider networks, prior authorization delays, upcoding, and potential inequities affecting disadvantaged groups.
    • Noted incidents (e.g., 2025 Rhode Island hospital network coverage termination by a MA provider) are used to illustrate access and continuity risks.
    • The resolution emphasizes bipartisan interest in reform and calls for a stronger federal role to protect TM and enrollees.

6) Potential impact if enacted (beyond the resolution)

  • If federal action aligns with the nine directives, MA plans could face increased transparency, higher scrutiny, and stricter marketing and network-adequacy standards.
  • Employers and retirees may gain clearer options to enrol in Traditional Medicare.
  • Resources could be redirected toward strengthening TM rather than MA plan profits.
  • The overall effect could be a shift in the balance of protections, costs, and access between TM and MA at the federal level.

Note: As a non-binding resolution, SR 2465 expresses Rhode Island’s position and advocacy for federal reform rather than creating enforceable state law.

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

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