Rhode Island Health Insurance

Rhode Island Proposal To Cap Medicaid Spending

ruzik_tuzik — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 11:57:50 -0500

The AP/Washington Times on Sunday examined a proposal by Rhode Island Gov. Donald Carcieri (R) to cap Medicaid spending in exchange for broader authority in deciding how Medicaid funds can be used. Carcieri has said the state needs approval of a federal waiver because Medicaid will consume about 30% of the state's budget by 2011, leaving less money for other priorities, but some federal lawmakers have criticized the plan (AP/Washington Times, 10/19).

Rhode Island Plan To Revise Medicaid Program Risky

ruzik_tuzik — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 11:32:02 -0500

Rhode Island Gov. Donald Carcieri (R) last month asked CMS to approve a waiver that would allow the state "to change much of its Medicaid program from an open-ended entitlement with no limit on spending to a capped budget with fixed expenditure limits" as part of a plan to address "looming budget deficits and curb rising Medicaid costs, two problems that are bedeviling many states," a New York Times editorial states.

Rhode Island Plan To Cap Medicaid Spending

ruzik_tuzik — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 10:48:04 -0500

Rhode Island Gov. Donald Carcieri's request to CMS last month for a waiver to set limits on state Medicaid spending has "alarmed" congressional Democrats and low-income advocacy groups who said the proposal would reduce access to nursing homes, raise out-of-pocket expenses for low-income families and limit eligibility and enrollment of residents in the program, the Washington Post reports.

Rhode Island Legislators Get Health Insurance Stipend

hareyan — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 11:39:10 -0500

A new Rhode Island law may give the state's legislators a real advantage over their constituents when it comes to health insurance.

The measure, sponsored by state Rep. Lisa Baldelli-Hunt (D-Woonsocket), took effect July 1. It gives legislators $7,000 per year for the purchase of health insurance--and they get to keep whatever part of the stipend they don't spend on health insurance.

Rhode Island Offers Proposal for Consumer-Driven Medicaid Overhaul

hareyan — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 11:30:31 -0500

Rhode Island Gov. Don Carcieri (R) has offered a proposal to save taxpayers $67 million by overhauling Rite Care, the state's Medicaid program.

Under the proposal, details of which are still being worked out between the state legislature and the Department of Human Services, Rhode Island would agree to a five-year federal spending cap on Medicaid in exchange for more autonomy over its Medicaid programs.

Advocates Express Concern About Rhode Island Medicaid Proposal

hareyan — Tue, 27 May 2008 12:20:52 -0500

Senior advocates and Rhode Island lawmakers have expressed concern that a proposal by Governor to overhaul RIte Care, the state's Medicaid program, could create a "catastrophe" for 186,000 state residents enrolled in the program.

Studying Rhode Island Health Care System Changes

hareyan — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 12:26:31 -0600

Rhode Island initiative consists of a series of meetings to consider health care proposals and make recommendations to the 2008 General Assembly.

Rhode Island Offers Business Health Insurance With Pre-Tax Income

hareyan — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 15:26:55 -0500

Rhode Island requires businesses that have more than 25 or more employees to offer an opportunity for the workers to buy health insurance with pre-tax income.