"Healthcare is going to explode. This is bad, bad. Whatever happened to my body, my choice?" said Representative Lima, who opposed the Reproductive Privacy Act. "Whatever happened to science?"
This legislation does not force people to get vaccinated. But it does help protect access and affordability for vaccines. This is a win-win for everyone.
New law sponsored by Sen. Ujifusa and Rep. Donovan to safeguard vaccine access amid federal uncertainty
Legislation introduced by Senator Linda Ujifusa and House Health and Human Services Committee Chair Susan Donovan has been signed into law to protect coverage for routine childhood and adult vaccines under Rhode Island law.
This bill (2026-S 2379A, 2026-H 7625A), which Governor Daniel McKee signed on Tuesday following passage by the General Assembly on June 9, gives Rhode Island a clear statutory framework to ensure vaccines remain accessible, affordable, and grounded in public health science. It requires state-regulated health insurers in Rhode Island to cover vaccines recommended by the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) without cost-sharing barriers.
The legislation was part of the Senate’s 17-bill healthcare package, centered on supporting Rhode Islanders in crisis, protecting patients and providers, and strengthening the state’s health workforce.
“We don’t have to speculate about the risks of not protecting access to vaccinations,” said Senator Ujifusa (Democrat, District 11, Portsmouth, Bristol). “We can already see the consequences, with measles outbreaks emerging across the country as anti-vaccine messages have gained traction. Rhode Island is acting now to make sure cost and uncertainty never stand in the way of basic public health.”
“Vaccination has been one of the great success stories of public health, protecting not only the vaccinated but also entire communities,” said Representative Donovan (Democrat, District 69, Bristol, Portsmouth). This bill ensures that here in Rhode Island, coverage for vaccines is protected and that our vaccine guidelines continue to be based on sound medical science.”
Last year, the U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. replaced all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the independent panel that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccine recommendations. The committee was subsequently reconstituted with new appointees, including individuals who have previously been skeptical of the efficacy of vaccines and the federal pandemic response.
The new law ensures Rhode Island retains the authority to act promptly and responsibly to protect public health. It follows the lead of other states, including Massachusetts. It ensures that any vaccine recommended by the Rhode Island Department of Health is covered without cost-sharing for every Rhode Islander, whether they have private insurance, Medicaid, or state employee coverage.
This legislation does not force people to get vaccinated. But it does help protect access and affordability for vaccines. This is a win-win for everyone.
The people who voted no have cognitive issues.
Love your last line Terry!!
The Republicans want to kill you by destroying the public health system
It is still your body your choice! If you want to have access to vaccines you have it. If you don't want vaccines, just say no thank you!
Press release:
New law sponsored by Sen. Ujifusa and Rep. Donovan to safeguard vaccine access amid federal uncertainty
Legislation introduced by Senator Linda Ujifusa and House Health and Human Services Committee Chair Susan Donovan has been signed into law to protect coverage for routine childhood and adult vaccines under Rhode Island law.
This bill (2026-S 2379A, 2026-H 7625A), which Governor Daniel McKee signed on Tuesday following passage by the General Assembly on June 9, gives Rhode Island a clear statutory framework to ensure vaccines remain accessible, affordable, and grounded in public health science. It requires state-regulated health insurers in Rhode Island to cover vaccines recommended by the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) without cost-sharing barriers.
The legislation was part of the Senate’s 17-bill healthcare package, centered on supporting Rhode Islanders in crisis, protecting patients and providers, and strengthening the state’s health workforce.
“We don’t have to speculate about the risks of not protecting access to vaccinations,” said Senator Ujifusa (Democrat, District 11, Portsmouth, Bristol). “We can already see the consequences, with measles outbreaks emerging across the country as anti-vaccine messages have gained traction. Rhode Island is acting now to make sure cost and uncertainty never stand in the way of basic public health.”
“Vaccination has been one of the great success stories of public health, protecting not only the vaccinated but also entire communities,” said Representative Donovan (Democrat, District 69, Bristol, Portsmouth). This bill ensures that here in Rhode Island, coverage for vaccines is protected and that our vaccine guidelines continue to be based on sound medical science.”
Last year, the U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. replaced all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the independent panel that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccine recommendations. The committee was subsequently reconstituted with new appointees, including individuals who have previously been skeptical of the efficacy of vaccines and the federal pandemic response.
The new law ensures Rhode Island retains the authority to act promptly and responsibly to protect public health. It follows the lead of other states, including Massachusetts. It ensures that any vaccine recommended by the Rhode Island Department of Health is covered without cost-sharing for every Rhode Islander, whether they have private insurance, Medicaid, or state employee coverage.