R.I. Gen. Laws § 36-6-20: Hospital care and hospital surgical-medical service benefits for retired general assembly members.

All retired members of the general assembly who meet all eligibility requirements for retirement and all former members of the general assembly who meet all eligibility requirements for retirement except for age shall be eligible to purchase at their own cost and expense the same benefits provided for active general assembly members under § 36-6-19. The cost for participation shall be deducted directly from the retired general assembly member’s monthly retirement proceeds. Retired or former members of the general assembly who are not receiving monthly retirement proceeds shall pay for those benefits through the joint committee on legislative services.