Expand Rhode Island’s current health insurance discrimination statutes to cover more protected categories and forms of discrimination.
Add protections for actual or perceived: race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin (including language), sex (including sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), age, disability, height, weight, or any combination thereof.
Extends prohibitions beyond claim denials to discriminatory plan designs and enrollment decisions.
Ensure accountability by requiring insurers to provide a clear grievance process for enrollees who experience discrimination.
Current protections against discrimination in health insurance are limited: Rhode Island’s law only covers race, color, or creed, leaving thousands vulnerable.
Federal non-discrimination protections in health care are being rolled back or unenforced. Notably, in May 2025, the Department of Health and Human Services rescinded guidance clarifying that the Affordable Care Act prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Subsequent rulemaking and other actions from HHS have further limited access to care nationwide.
Health insurers are increasingly using artificial intelligence and algorithms to administer benefits; over 84% report using AI, which can produce discriminatory outcomes if left unchecked, including on the basis of race and sex.
