RI H7693

Requires the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to increase Medicaid payment rates to 130% of Medicare rates for all outpatient clinical services provided to patients under 19 years old by October 1, 2026

Mandates a Medicaid state plan amendment and allocation of sufficient state general revenue to fund the rate increase

Addresses pediatric workforce crisis where less than 50% of pediatric primary care offices are accepting new patients and a projected net loss of 40-45 providers is expected by 2030

Targets recruitment and retention of pediatricians, pediatric specialists, child psychiatrists, family medicine physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants

Responds to Rhode Island Medicaid rates being approximately 25% lower than Massachusetts and Connecticut, while 54% of children ages 0-18 in the state rely on Medicaid coverage