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R.I. health insurance rates are going up next year, but not as much as insurers wanted

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R.I. health insurance rates are going up next year, but not as much as insurers wanted


Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island is one of the health insurers with rate increases for 2025. Seen here are the company’s offices on Exchange Street in Providence. (Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)

More than 170,000 Rhode Islanders will see their monthly health insurance costs rise next year, but not by as much as private insurers wanted.

Newly approved 2025 rates unveiled by the Rhode Island Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner on Tuesday feature year-over-year increases ranging from 1% to 14% depending on the type of insurance and the provider. The approved premiums will reduce residents’ costs by a combined $29.6 million in 2025, compared with the higher increases requested by commercial health insurers.

The initial rate hikes pitched by insurers in May drew sharp criticism from Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha, who urged state regulators to deny what he blasted as “astronomical” increases. Neronha’s initial criticism focused on Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, which was the only individual market insurer to ask for a double-digit rate increase.

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Blue Cross, in turn, defended its requested 14.3% rate hike for the 17,000 enrollees on its individual insurance plan, pointing to soaring drug costs and medical services, which resulted in a $26 million operating loss in 2023, the company said.

After an independent review, Neronha later decried rate hikes proposed by the other five private insurers, some of which proposed even steeper premium hikes; UnitedHealthcare of New England topped the list with a requested 22.7% increase for its small-group market, which affects 1,644 residents on small-business insurance plans.

Rhode Island Health Insurance Commissioner Cory King acknowledged the competing arguments from health insurers and ratepayer advocates like Neronha.

Each year my office must strike a difficult balance between affordability, the funding needs of the health care delivery system, and insurer solvency,” King said in a statement. “Rising premiums negatively impact Rhode Islanders’ economic well-being. When insurers pay more for health care goods and services, premiums go up. Addressing the rising cost of healthcare is a core focus of my office, and we will continue our work with health care providers and insurers to lower Rhode Islanders’ health care costs.”

Blue Cross President and CEO Martha Wofford called the approved rates “concerning” and warned of further financial shortfalls next year.

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“Healthcare costs in Rhode Island are soaring. We have experienced 20% growth in medical and drug costs since 2023, which is far outpacing premium increases OHIC approved last year,” Wofford said in a statement on Tuesday. “We are highly focused on improving affordability and the last thing we want to do is increase rates for our customers and members, however, it is imperative for healthcare stability in Rhode Island that OHIC establish premiums that adequately cover surging costs.”

Neronha’s office did not immediately respond to inquiries for comment on Tuesday. Most of the approved rates are lower, or on par, with the increases suggested by his office.

The rates do not apply to self-funded employer groups, which account for approximately 65% of Rhode Island’s employer-sponsored coverage, according to OHIC. Self-funded employers pay employee health expenses directly, but they also rely on health insurers for administrative services.      

Affected enrollees in individual market plans will see premiums rise by a weighted average of 7.8% next year — with an approved 11% hike for Blue Cross enrollees. The average, weighted small-group market rate increase is 12.4%, while enrollees in large-group markets will see average, weighted increases of 11.2%.

The steepest annual premium hike will be borne by the 1,644 small-group market members enrolled in a UnitedHealthcare plan, for whom rates will rise 14%. The smallest annual increase is for large-group market enrollees under Cigna Healthcare, who will see a .9% rise in 2025 rates.

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Premiums are calculated based on the claims that private insurers make to hospitals, physicians and pharmacies for treating their enrollees. Premium increases are driven by increases in use of services, and the intensity of services, along with higher reimbursement rates, according to OHIC. Administrative charges can also spark requested premium increases by insurance companies; the approved 2025 rates rejected all administrative-related increases that exceed inflation.

Elizabeth McClaine, vice president of commercial health care products for Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island, said in a statement that the company respects state regulators’ annual review and approval process.

“We set rates to balance cost to members and reimbursement to providers while ensuring access to high quality care,” McClain said in an email. “Neighborhood takes seriously its role to ensure cost is not a barrier to high quality services.”

UnitedHealthcare declined to comment. 

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RI Lottery Powerball, Numbers Midday winning numbers for May 9, 2026

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The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at May 9, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from May 9 drawing

15-41-46-47-56, Powerball: 22, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Numbers numbers from May 9 drawing

Midday: 0-8-9-5

Evening: 0-9-4-7

Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Wild Money numbers from May 9 drawing

08-13-24-27-34, Extra: 32

Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 9 drawing

08-11-17-29-49, Bonus: 02

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

  • Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
  • Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
  • Winners of the Millionaire for Life top prize of $1,000,000 a year for life and second prize of $100,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.

When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
  • Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
  • Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. ET daily.
  • Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
  • Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
  • Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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Proposed tax hike would hurt small businesses and our communities | Opinion

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Proposed tax hike would hurt small businesses and our communities | Opinion


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  • A proposed “millionaires tax” in Rhode Island could impact small, family-owned businesses structured as pass-through entities.
  • The author, a state representative and business owner, argues the tax would reduce funds for payroll, equipment, and expansion.
  • The op-ed suggests the tax could make Rhode Island less competitive, citing high earners leaving Massachusetts after a similar tax was passed.
  • The author advocates for policies that encourage business investment rather than penalizing financial success.

Rhode Island is built on the strength of small, family-owned businesses. They are the backbone of our economy, the employers of our neighbors, and the reason our communities have character and opportunity. I know this not just as a legislator, but as someone who works every day in a family business alongside the people I care about most. That’s why I am concerned about the impact of the proposed “millionaires tax” on businesses and our communities.

While it may sound like a measure aimed at a narrow group of high earners, the reality is far different. Many family-owned businesses – especially those structured as pass-through entities – report their business income on personal tax returns. That means this tax doesn’t just target “millionaires” in the traditional sense; it directly impacts small and mid-sized businesses that reinvest their earnings into payroll, equipment, expansion and employee benefits.

In my case, our family business is a private ambulance service. Every day, we are responsible for delivering critical care to Rhode Islanders, particularly seniors and our most medically fragile neighbors. That responsibility comes with significant costs. Ambulances, lifesaving medical equipment, and the technology needed to support our crews are expensive, and they must be maintained and updated regularly to meet the highest standards of care.

Tax increases like this directly impact our ability to make those investments. These are not abstract tradeoffs – they have real consequences for the level of care we can provide. For businesses like mine, margins matter. Every dollar that goes out the door in taxes is a dollar that can’t be used to hire another worker, increase wages, buy new equipment or sponsor the local Little League team. These are real decisions that affect real people.

Supporters of this proposal often frame it as a fairness issue. But fairness should also mean recognizing the role that employers play in creating opportunity. When government makes it more expensive to operate a business in Rhode Island, we risk pushing investment – and jobs – elsewhere. Policies like this don’t exist in a vacuum; they shape decisions about where businesses grow and where families choose to put down roots.

We don’t have to guess what would happen if we raised taxes here – we can just look to Massachusetts. They passed a millionaires tax and the latest data shows a steady stream of high earners leaving for lower-tax states like New Hampshire and, you guessed it, Rhode Island. We could take advantage of Massachusetts’ mistake and build on the momentum we have built in recent years. We’ve seen the benefits of thoughtful policy decisions that encourage investment and support job creation and tax revenues are up. But progress is fragile. Policies like the millionaires tax risk undoing that work by sending the message that success will be penalized rather than encouraged.

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As both a business owner and a legislator, I believe strongly that we can – and must – strike a better balance.

We can support public services, invest in our communities, and maintain fiscal responsibility without resorting to policies that put our local businesses at a disadvantage. We can grow our economy by creating an environment where businesses want to stay, expand and hire.

Let’s focus on solutions that strengthen our economy, support our workforce, and ensure that family-owned businesses like mine and so many others across our state continue to thrive.

Rhode Island’s future depends on it.

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Jacquelyn Baginski is a state representative from Cranston.



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RI Lottery Mega Millions, Numbers Midday winning numbers for May 8, 2026

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The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at May 8, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 8 drawing

37-47-49-51-58, Mega Ball: 16

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Numbers numbers from May 8 drawing

Midday: 9-8-9-7

Evening: 7-9-8-9

Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Wild Money numbers from May 8 drawing

10-13-15-16-30, Extra: 09

Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 8 drawing

14-16-21-43-51, Bonus: 03

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

  • Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
  • Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
  • Winners of the Millionaire for Life top prize of $1,000,000 a year for life and second prize of $100,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.

When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
  • Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
  • Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. ET daily.
  • Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
  • Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
  • Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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