SENATE RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO MAKE A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF RHODE ISLAND'S HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE RELATED TO EDUCATING AND RETAINING PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS (Creates a 17-member Commission to study Rhode Island’s healthcare workforce related to educating and retaining primary care providers and who would report back annually to the President of the Senate.)

Rhode Island Senate Resolution: Healthcare Workforce Study Commission

This resolution would create a special 17-member commission to study Rhode Island's healthcare workforce, specifically focusing on how the state trains and keeps primary care providers — such as family doctors, general practitioners, and other frontline healthcare professionals. The commission would take a broad look at challenges related to educating new providers and encouraging them to stay and practice in Rhode Island rather than moving elsewhere after completing their training.

The 17-member commission would likely include a mix of legislators, healthcare professionals, educators, and other stakeholders with relevant expertise. Once established, the group would be responsible for reporting their findings back to the President of the Rhode Island Senate on an annual basis. These reports would presumably include data, analysis, and recommendations to help lawmakers better understand and address any gaps or problems in the state's primary care workforce.

This resolution would affect a wide range of Rhode Islanders. Healthcare providers — including medical students, residents, and practicing doctors — could be directly impacted by any policy recommendations that come out of the commission's work. Patients across the state could also be affected, particularly those in areas where access to primary care is already limited. Hospitals, medical schools, and healthcare training programs in Rhode Island would also have a stake in the commission's findings.

Currently, the resolution has been referred to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, which has recommended holding it for further study. A hearing is scheduled for March 2026. No final action has been taken yet, meaning the commission has not been formally established.