Health care providers and advocates for health care access, reproductive health, and LGBTQ+ equality praised the RI Legislature’s final passage of the “Health Care Provider Shield Act,” (S2262 Sub B, HB757 Sub A), which will protect the state’s health care system, doctors, other medical care providers, and patients from hostile out-of-state laws that could negatively impact delivery of care. The bill now awaits action by Gov. Dan McKee.
Sponsored by Senator Dawn Euer and Representative John G. Edwards, the Health Care Provider Shield Act will mitigate the risk that Rhode Island health care providers could be penalized under the laws of other states that have banned access to established, standard-of-care reproductive and transgender health care, and will ensure that patients can continue to receive quality, legal, essential medical care in Rhode Island.
As multiple states have passed bans on abortion and transgender health care in recent years, authorities in some states, such as Texas, have also sought to intimidate or otherwise punish physicians or facilities in states who provide such essential care to their residents. Due to increasing threats, both Maine and Maryland moved swiftly to enact such laws in the last six months. At least 11 additional states and the District of Columbia have enacted health care shield laws to protect providers and patients and ensure their states remain desirable places to practice medicine. Four other New England states — including the neighboring states of Connecticut and Massachusetts, have similar shield laws to protect providers and access to care.
“This is an important step toward securing critically needed safeguards for Rhode Island’s health care system. We’re heartened to see the legislature take urgently needed action this session to pass the Health Care Provider Shield Act,” said Polly Crozier, attorney at GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders.
“Rhode Island has a strong public policy commitment to protecting access to health care, including reproductive and transgender health care. The Health Care Provider Shield Act aims to protect Rhode Island providers and patients from unwarranted out-of-state intrusion into medical decision making and ensure clinicians can continue to practice in line with the professional standards of care. Thank you to
The Health Care Provider Shield Act is supported by a provider-led coalition of more than 40 organizations, including the following health care associations and providers: the American Academy of Pediatrics, Rhode Island Chapter; American Association of Nurses- RI/Rhode Island State Nurses Association; American College of Emergency Medicine Physicians; American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; American College of Physicians, RI; East Bay Community Action Program; National Association of Social Workers; Nurse Practitioner Alliance of RI; Primary Care-Population Medicine MD-MSc Program Class of 2024; Rhode Island Academy of Family Medicine Physicians; Rhode Island Council of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; Rhode Island Medical Society; Rhode Island Academy of Physicians Assistants; Spectrum; Hospital Association of Rhode Island; Open Door Health; Planned Parenthood of Southern NE; Thrive Behavioral Health; Thundermist Health Center; Rhode Island Health Center Association; and Wood River Health Services.
— from a GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders press release; read the complete press release here.
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