Action Alert: Early Intervention and Community-Based Supports bills up for hearing 5/12/2022
Two important bills are being heard at the State House this week: one to address Rhode Island’s Early Intervention funding crisis, and another to establish fair rate setting for community-based services. The bills are among RIPIN’s 2022 legislative priorities.
Both bills will be before the House Finance Committee this Thursday, May 12, at the rise of the House (around 4:30 PM).
See the House Finance Committee agenda for Thursday
Early Intervention and First Connections Act 2022
Rhode Island’s Early Intervention (EI) system is critical to the success of infants and toddlers with developmental delays, but reimbursement rates for EI services have not increased in 20 years—if rates had kept pace with inflation, they would be 70% higher than they are today.
The result is a staffing crisis among EI providers, long wait lists, and families unable to access services. RIPIN supports the passage of H7628 (Giraldo) that will raise rates and allow providers to hire and retain skilled staff to begin to address our EI system’s crisis.
RIght from the Start’s Fact Sheet on H7628
Social And Human Services Programs Rate Review And Rate Setting Act Of 2022
Many Rhode Islanders rely on home- and community-based health care services (like in-home nursing and other direct care supports), but reimbursement rates for these services have long failed to keep up with rising costs, leading to an unacceptable lack of access.
RIPIN supports H7180 (Casimiro), which will establish a permanent advisory committee to perform regular rate review and support rate setting for community-based services.
Fact Sheet on H7180 from Community Provider Network of Rhode Island
How You Can Help
Join us and testify in person at the State House this Thursday, May 12th. Visit Room 35 at the State House before 4:30 PM and put your name on the sign up sheet in SUPPORT for bills H7628 and H7180.
If you can’t attend the hearing in person, you can send written testimony to [email protected]. Written testimony must include your name, bill number, and that you SUPPORT these bills.
You can also contact your State Representative and State Senator and tell them you SUPPORT these bills.