Introduced By: Senators Roberts, Paiva Weed, Izzo and Sosnowski
Date Introduced : February 4, 1999
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. The state of Rhode Island will receive $1.4 billion dollars in funds from the Master Settlement Agreement with participating tobacco manufacturers over the next twenty-five (25) years, and
WHEREAS, The General Assembly finds that access to quality health care is of paramount importance to all Rhode Islanders.
SECTION 2. Section 40-8.4-7 of the General Laws in Chapter 40-8.4 entitled "Health Care For Families" is hereby amended to read as follows:
40-8.4-7. Buy-In. -- The Department of Human Services shall investigate and develop opportunities for individuals and/or employers to buy into, at the individual's and/or employer's expense, one or more programs the department may establish under this chapter or chapter 12.3 of title 42 to address uninsurance among Rhode Islanders.
{ADD The department of human services shall establish a plan {ADDto be submitted to the general assembly for approval by April 1, 2000ADD} for enrollment fees, deductibles, co-payments and/or other contributions based on ability to pay, and in such manner to assure access to programs established under this section for all Rhode Islanders. ADD}
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.
