Press Release

For Immediate Release

June 14, 2024

Contact: Diane M. Santos

Maureen Maigret

Phone: (401) 451-8158

Email: info@senioragendari.org

Senior Agenda Coalition Commends Legislature

for Fully Funding Health and Human Service 

Provider Rate Increases

With the final passage of the FY2025 state budget by the general assembly, the Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island praised the Rhode Island legislature for fully funding the recommendations made by the Office of Health Insurance for Medicaid provider rate increases for the health and human service providers. The recommendations were made following a Rate Review Study mandated by the legislature. The Governor’s proposed budget for FY2025 had called for phasing in the funding over a three-year period which was opposed by the Senior Agenda Coalition.

“We know the vast majority of older persons and adults with disabilities prefer to stay at home when they need supports. Our Coalition has advocated for many years to promote home and community-based services, a key component of our long term service system. However, inadequate Medicaid rates have resulted in long wait list leaving far too many persons needing care waiting many months to receive services”, said Maureen Maigret, Policy Advisor for the Coalition and member of Study’s Advisory Task Force.

In testimony to the House and Senate Finance Committee, Maigret had noted waiting for services puts people at risk of deteriorating health and some may be forced to access nursing home care at far greater expense to the state.

Maigret noted the commitment and tenacity of Senator Lou DiPalma and Representative Tina Spears who were instrumental in advocating for the Rate Review Study and pushing for full funding of the recommendations.

The budget passed by the legislature includes $163.4 million in state and federal funds for the rate increases for all provider categories with $61.7 million coming from state funds. A number of home and community service providers will receive the rate increases including home care providers, assisted living, adult day and shared living services.

“With personal care provided by nursing assistants scheduled for a rate increase of 53%, it is critical that wages for these direct care staff be increased in order to recruit and retain these workers. Most of these workers are women and many are low-income women of color. Too often they are both undervalued and underpaid and this is our opportunity to provide them with living wages”, said Diane Santos, Chair of the Senior Agenda Board. 

The Senior Agenda Coalition of RI works to mobilize people to implement an agenda that improves the quality of life of older Rhode Islanders and adults with disabilities. It successfully pushed for the State to adopt a goal of spending 50 percent of long-term care funding for older adults on home and community services, maintain the No-Fare bus pass transportation program for older adults and those with disabilities, to raise the income limit for the Office of Healthy Aging @ Home Cost Share program to 250 percent of the federal poverty level and to increase funding for senior centers and for respite services to assist caregivers of older adults.