RI S2542

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

Mandates the state pursue a Medicaid state plan amendment and allocate sufficient general revenue funding to implement the rate increase

Addresses a pediatric workforce crisis where less than 50% of primary care offices accept new patients, and 26.9% of pediatricians plan to retire within 6 years, projecting a net loss of 40-45 providers by 2030

Responds to Rhode Island's Medicaid rates being approximately 25% lower than Massachusetts and Connecticut, hindering recruitment of pediatric providers

Applies to pediatricians, pediatric specialists, child psychiatrists, family medicine physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician's assistants serving children