Rhode Island

R.I. House passes bill to safeguard access to COVID-19 vaccines for children – TPR: The Public's Radio

Published

12 months ago

March 26, 2025

R.I. House passes bill to safeguard access to COVID-19 vaccines for children – TPR: The Public's Radio

The state House of Representatives this week approved legislation to ensure access to COVID-19 vaccines for children in Rhode Island even if the Trump administration rolls back federal approvals.

The House voted 58-10 to approve a bill (H-5427A) to allow pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to children age 3 or older. The bill, introduced at the request of the state Department of Health, also would lower to 3 years old the minimum age at which children can receive their flu shots at the pharmacy.

“Years of experience have shown us that allowing people, including children, to receive routine vaccines at pharmacies is safe and increases the likelihood that they will get them,’’ Rep. Michelle McGraw, said in a statement announcing the House bill’s passage. A Democrat from Portsmouth, McGraw works as a consultant pharmacist. “Particularly given Rhode Island’s shortage of primary care physicians, we should ensure access to vaccines at pharmacies is protected in Rhode Island, so anyone and everyone can get their vaccines when they need them.’’

Rep. David J. Place, R-Burrillville, opposed the bill, saying during the House floor debate that he is concerned about someone other than a pediatrician, who knows the child’s medical history, administering the COVID vaccine.

But Rep. Susan R. Donovan, D-Bristol, said that not all families have access to pediatricians.

“The main reason for this bill is not to reduce the role of primary care physicians,’’ Donovan said, “but because in many communities it is hard to gain access to a pediatrician or primary care physician.’’

Massachusetts has enacted state regulations to allow pharmacists to administer COVID-19 vaccines to children 5 years and older.

Federal regulations to allow pharmacists to administer COVID-19 vaccines were approved during the pandemic and extended during the Biden administration through 2029.

But the Trump administration has already reversed federal mandates and barred funding for COVID-19 vaccinations in schools.

Next month, an independent advisory committee to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is scheduled to discuss COVID vaccinations. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP, plays a key role in setting vaccine policy. But it remains to be seen whether the CDC advisory committee under the Trump administration will change its vaccination recommendations.

“Pharmacists give lots and lots of COVID vaccines to kids,’’ Jeffrey Bratberg, a professor at the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy, said in an interview. “Now there’s a lot of uncertainty. It’s even more important that we put it into state law.’’

The House bill now heads to the Senate, where a similar companion bill also has been introduced.

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Rhode Island

Wicked Tulips announces move to North Kingstown

Published

12 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Press Room

Wicked Tulips announces move to North Kingstown

Wicked Tulips announced it is opening a new location in North Kingstown.

Its new location on 140 Exeter Rd. is double the size of its previous location.

The business said it will be keeping its second location in Preston, Connecticut.

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The farm is projected to open on April 22, 2026.

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Rhode Island

RI Lottery Mega Millions, Numbers Midday winning numbers for March 10, 2026

Published

24 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Press Room

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

Here’s a look at March 10, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from March 10 drawing

16-21-30-35-65, Mega Ball: 07

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Numbers numbers from March 10 drawing

Midday: 9-1-3-0

Evening: 4-2-1-9

Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Wild Money numbers from March 10 drawing

11-12-16-27-34, Extra: 05

Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 10 drawing

03-27-43-45-49, Bonus: 04

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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Rhode Island

Thousands drop public health insurance coverage in RI after premiums spike

Published

1 day ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Thousands drop public health insurance coverage in RI after premiums spike

Thousands of Rhode Islanders dropped their health insurance plans after federal subsidies expired.
Enrollment in HealthSource RI, the state’s marketplace, fell by 20% in early 2024.
The average premium for enrollees more than doubled as federal funding ended.

Thousands of Rhode Islanders dropped health insurance coverage through Rhode Island’s public insurance marketplace instead of maintaining plans with rising premiums and lower subsidies, HealthSource RI said.

Enrollment through HealthSource, Rhode Island’s “Obamacare” exchange, plunged 20% between the end of last year and the close of the annual enrollment period a month later, as federal funding for premium tax credits expired, according to a HealthSource new release.

There were 48,060 individual and family enrollments on Dec. 31 of last year, the day the premium subsidies from the American Rescue Plan and Inflation Reduction Act ended.

On Feb. 1, there were 38,557 enrollments.

Before this drop, HealthSource has posted enrollment increases almost every year since Affordable Care Act exchanges launched in 2013.

How did we get here?

Last year, the Republican-controlled federal government declined to extend premium tax credits after a protracted budget battle with congressional Democrats, who are now negotiating to restore the health insurance subsidies.

The lapse in subsidies coincided with an increase in premiums, driven by a combination of factors, which sent the total cost of coverage climbing.

The average premium across HealthSource enrollees more than doubled (101%,) the exchange said, or $111 per person, per month.

Many enrollees opted for cheaper insurance plans despite their higher deductibles and out-of-pocket costs.

Others dropped coverage altogether.

“The increase in premiums, combined with the decrease in federal supports, makes this an incredibly challenging year for folks depending on HealthSource RI for health coverage,” HealthSource Director Lindsay Lang said in the release. “Having health coverage helps protect against one bad turn of luck becoming years of financial burden. We will work with every customer to find options that are best for their needs and budget, and continue to work with state leaders and our federal delegation to find long-term solutions.”

Could help be on the way?

Gov. Dan McKee included $9.5 million in his proposed state budget for the year starting July 1 to subsidize coverage for some of the lowest-income exchange enrollees.

The enrollment declines show that may be too little for some Rhode Islanders, and too late for others.

“It is disheartening but not surprising that, as President Trump’s policies have caused health insurance costs to skyrocket, more Rhode Islanders are struggling to pay for health coverage,” McKee said.

Since the exchange opened in 2013, Rhode Island’s uninsured rate has declined by two thirds, down to 2.2%, HealthSource said.

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