LGBTQ+ advocates praise RI passage of “Health Care Provider Shield Act”

Health Care Provider Shield Act limits risk of hostile out-of-state laws banning abortion, transgender health care

Health care providers and advocates for health care access, reproductive health, and LGBTQ+ equality praised the RI Legislature’s final passage today 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 Governor Dan McKee. 

Sponsored by Senator Dawn Euer (D-Dist. 13, Newport, Jamestown) and Representative John G. Edwards (D-Dist. 70, Tiverton), 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 reproductive and transgender health care services.

"It’s wonderful to see the support of our legislature for this bill, which enables family doctors, OBGYNs, and other practitioners in Rhode Island to continue delivering high quality, essential care to our patients—including full-spectrum reproductive services and gender-affirming health care. The Health Care Provider Shield Act will protect our providers against actions from other states and allow us to deliver the standard of care and excellence that our patients deserve,” said Dr. Heather A Smith, RI Medical Society President and OBGYN.

As multiple states have passed bans on abortion and transgender health care in recent years, authorities in some states, such as Texas, have explored legal avenues to intimidate or otherwise punish physicians or facilities in other states which continue to provide such essential care to their residents. At least 11 additional states including Connecticut, Maine, and Massachusetts have put shield laws like Rhode Island's in place to protect providers and access to care. 

“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," said Polly Crozier, Attorney at GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders.

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. 

“I’m thankful to my colleagues in the House and Senate who voted for this important bill. The Health Care Provider Shield Act is about protecting established, best-practice medical care that is already legal in Rhode Island. This bill simply ensures that our local providers and our health care infrastructure aren’t negatively impacted by hostile laws in other states,” said Representative John Edwards.

The Health Care Provider Shield Act Coalition also includes the ACLU of Rhode Island, Amnesty International USA, Center for Reproductive Rights, COYOTE, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), House of Codec, Protect Our Health Care RI, PPRI Votes, Pride in Aging, RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence, RI Commission on Human Rights, RI Coalition for Reproductive Freedom, RI Public Health Institute, RI State Council of Churches, The Trevor Project, The Womxn Project, TGI Network, and Youth Pride Inc.

This article is based on a GLAD press release.