Right-wing confrontations with Democrats at health care forums have soaked up quite a bit of ink and more than a few electrons of late. But Rhode Island's left is planning a counterstrike, today, with a pro-health care refrom press conference at 2 p.m. featuring union folks, progressive advocacy group Ocean State Action and the AARP, among other organizations.

Pat has some breaking news:

A number of House Democrats are unhappy with the decision of Speaker Murphy to not take a vote today on the Medicaid Global Waiver proposed by Governor Carcieri. RIFUTURE has learned that certain Representatives are shopping around a letter to the Speaker demanding a vote be taken and others are planning on introducing a motion from the floor today.

Coming your way, at the State House:

From MERI:

On Wednesday, May 7, the Rhode Island Assembly's House Judiciary Committee will hear testimony on several bills addressing marriage equality rights for all Rhode Island couples, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. Supporters of marriage equality, including several members of MERI, are expected to testify.

On February 8, N4N reported on how the Planned Parenthood of Rhode Island Action Network had launched a suprisingly sharp attack on progressive Representative David Segal, who has been a strong supporter of women's rights.

The organization has since backtracked, as this statement makes clear:

A statement from Miriam Inocencio, CEO, and Barbara Dickinson, Board Chair, of Planned Parenthood of Rhode Island:

Medical marijuana proponents plan to seek General Assembly support this session to create an establishment, known as the Compassion Center, which, as the theory goes, would have state Department of Health backing to grow and distribute medical marijuana to approved patients.

While the outlook for such a measure remains uncertain -- at minimum, it would likely have to overcome a gubernatorial veto -- it would address the glaring shortcoming in Rhode Island's medical marijuana law.