PROVIDENCE â Legislation introduced by District 35 (East Greenwich, North Kingstown, South Kingstown, Narragansett) Senator Bridget Valverde that would expand abortion and medical care access for low-income individuals recently hit a roadblock imposed by Rhode Island Senate Democrats. The bill, despite its medical nature and Valverdeâs objection, is now assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee, where it has little hope to pass, rather than the Senateâs Committee on health and human services.
âThis bill should be heard in the Health & Human Services Committee, where it belongs and where I asked it be referred even before I formally introduced the bill,â said Valverde. âAfter all, this is a bill that only addresses coverage for a health care service. The Health & Human Services Committee, of which I am the Vice Chair, routinely deals with health coverage legislation. Instead, it was sent to the Judiciary Committee, which deals with criminal codes. It does not make sense. Thatâs why I objected.â