Activists lobby for patient protections at RI State House

The Rhode Island House of Representatives is considering a bill to protect patient health care benefits. The Market Stability and Consumer Protection Act would place the patient protections currently covered by the Affordable Care Act into state law. Those protections include coverage for preexisting conditions, behavioral and mental health coverage, and coverage for children under 26 on their parents’ plans. Activists gathered at the State House today to speak with representatives. Linda Katz, Policy Director at the Economic Progress Institute, said that this legislation is vital because the Trump administration wants to take away many of these benefits. “While our federal delegation has been very strong in trying to protect protections at the federal level, we need to know that at the state level, our government is going to protect consumers as well.” The bill has already passed in the Senate Health Education and Welfare Committee. Now the House of Representatives is considering a companion bill before it can go to a full vote.