Rhode Island legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Rhode Island H7587: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE -- PRESCRIPTION DRUGS (Prohibits the Rhode Island medical assistance pro
Status: Failed, May 14, 2026
AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE -- PRESCRIPTION DRUGS (Prohibits the Rhode Island medical assistance program from requiring prior authorization or a step therapy protocol for the coverage of a medication classified as an anticonvulsant or antipsychotic.)
What the bill says
From the introduced text, February 6, 2026:
2026 -- H 7587 ======== LC004281 ======== STATEOFRHODEISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ ANACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE -- PRESCRIPTION DRUGS Introduced By: Representatives Casey, Potter, Chippendale, Hopkins, Paplauskas, Santucci, Speakman, Serpa, and McGaw Date Introduced: February 06, 2026 Referred To: House Finance It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: SECTION 1. Chapter 40-21 of the General Laws entitled "Medical Assistance -- Prescription Drugs" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 40-21-4. Prohibition of prior authorization or step therapy protocol. (a) The Rhode Island medical assistance program, as defined under chapter 8 of this title, and any contract between the Rhode Island medical assistance program and a managed care organization shall not require prior authorization or a step therapy protocol for the coverage of a medication classified as an anticonvulsant or antipsychotic on their drug formulary. (b) If the secretary of the executive office of health and human services determines that authorization from a federal agency is necessary for the implementation of this section, the secretary is authorized to seek such state plan amendment and may delay implementing the provisions until the authorization is granted. (c) The Rhode Island medical assistance program shall require, through amending current and future medical assistance managed care contracts, that the managed care organizations meet …
Sponsors
- Stephen Casey (D, HD-050) · primary sponsor
- Brandon Potter (D, HD-016)
- Michael Chippendale (R, HD-040)
- Marie Hopkins (R, HD-021)
- Christopher Paplauskas (R)
- Paul Santucci (R)
- June Speakman (D, HD-068)
- Patricia Serpa (D, HD-027)
- McGaw, Michelle (D, HD-071)
Latest actions
- : Committee recommended measure be held for further study
- : Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
- : Introduced, referred to House Finance
Subjects: HUMAN SERVICES
Common questions
- What is H7587?
- H7587 is a bill in the Rhode Island Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE -- PRESCRIPTION DRUGS (Prohibits the Rhode Island medical assistance pro.
- What does H7587 do?
- AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE -- PRESCRIPTION DRUGS (Prohibits the Rhode Island medical assistance program from requiring prior authorization or a step therapy protocol for the coverage of a medication classified as an anticonvulsant or antipsychotic.)
- What is the status of H7587?
- Failed as of May 14, 2026. Latest action: Committee recommended measure be held for further study (May 14, 2026).
- Who sponsored H7587?
- Stephen Casey (D, HD-050), with 8 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H7587?
- On the Rhode Island Legislature website: http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7587.pdf
Source: official Rhode Island record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.