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RIHCA - Rhode Island Health Center Association

Public Policy

Public policy decisions affect the ability of the community health centers to provide high-quality primary health care. The Rhode Island Health Center Association (RIHCA) is committed to monitor and inform the local, state, and national policy that affects the community health centers. We do this by:

  • Informing Rhode Island’s community health centers about policies and potential changes to policies that might affect them and their ability to care for their patients;
  • Serving as a resource to legislators and public officials as they consider laws and regulations that affect community health centers and the provision of primary care in Rhode Island; and
  • Collaborating with state departments and non-profit agencies to implement and improve programs affecting health centers and uninsured and underserved patients.
Rhode Island State House

Public Policy Goals

  • Increase access to health care for the medically uninsured and underserved
  • Support community health centers in their role as a proven health care system

Public Policy Updates

State Policy

  • State Budget: The FY 2010 budget restores a threatened cut to dental coverage for 38,000 parents enrolled in RIte Care. The state budget also rolls back RIte Care premiums to 2008 levels and restores RIte Care eligibility for children who are legally present immigrants.
  • Generic-only medication policy for RIte Care families: RIHCA is monitoring the implementation of the new RIte Care generic-only medication policy.
  • Global Medicaid Waiver: RIHCA is monitoring the implementation of Rhode Island’s RI Global Consumer Choice Compact Waiver. Jane Hayward is a member of the Global Waiver Implementation Taskforce and chairs the Medicaid benefit redesign: Acute/Primary Care workgroup.

Read more about Rhode Island policy.

Federal Policy

  • National health reform: Community health centers are leaders in primary care here in Rhode Island and nationally. RIHCA is keeping up to date on health reform developments and how they will affect primary care and community health centers.
  • The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: Otherwise known as the stimulus bill, this federal legislation provides important, much needed funding for community health centers to meet the increased demand for our services brought on by the flagging economy.
  • Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP): The reauthorization of CHIP provides many opportunities to states to expand health coverage for children.

Read more about federal policy.

For more information about the Rhode Island Health Center’s public policy work, please contact: