Groups Unveil Plan for Covering 35,000 Uninsured Rhode Islanders
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Two leading nonprofits announced a plan yesterday to cover approximately 35,000 uninsured Rhode Islanders—before new provisions of the national health care law kick in in 2014.
The new program, Center Care, was proposed by Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island (Neighborhood) in collaboration with the Rhode Island Health Center Association (RIHCA) to legislators, policy makers, and members of the Governor-elect’s transition team on Wednesday. If implemented, Center Care would provide access to primary care services and family planning for as many as 35,800 uninsured adults in Rhode Island.
Center Care would be a temporary, limited benefit program for Rhode Islanders without children who earn less than 133 percent of the federal poverty level. These uninsured Rhode Islanders will become eligible to enroll in RIte Care in 2014. At that time, the federal government will cover the entire cost of their insurance for the first three years, and 90 percent of the cost in subsequent years. Rhode Island could choose to enroll these uninsured adults in RIte Care now, but the state would have to pay a much higher percentage of the cost.
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Mark Reynolds, the President and CEO of Neighborhood, told attendees that immediately expanding Rite Care to include these uninsured Rhode Islanders would provide the most comprehensive health insurance for them; however, in the context of Rhode Island’s state budget deficit, he asserted that Center Care would be the next best option for those who qualify.
Participants in Center Care would choose a primary care doctor at one of the 27 community health centers in the state. The program would not be an insurance product. Similar programs exist in Maryland, Arizona, and Utah.
More funding needed
Many steps must be taken by the state for Center Care to become a reality—particularly the passage of legislation that would allocate an estimated $3.2 million from state funds to support the program, which would be offset by savings to Medicaid. Reynolds anticipates Center Care would require an additional $5 million in federal funds that could be made available with modifications to the Medicaid Global Waiver.
In 2014, Center Care would cease. Those participating would be automatically enrolled into full health insurance benefits through RIte Care.
Center Care was announced during a forum where local leaders joined experts from Families USA, Beacon Health Strategies, and Maryland’s Medicaid Program to present issues and strategies Rhode Island could consider regarding Medicaid expansion as required by federal health reform. All of the presentations and issue briefs shared during the meeting can be found here.
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