The state's uninsured rate has been cut in half, to 5 percent, since 2012, thanks in part to the state-run health-benefits exchange. But health care costs continue to rise beyond what many workers and businesses can afford.
Rhode Island is not alone in struggling with the health care conundrum. But our size can be an advantage in eliminating the fragmentation that plagues the current system.
That's why Gov. Gina M. Raimondo should accept the recommendation of her working group on health care to include a new Office of Health Policy in her fiscal 2017 budget proposal. Yes, a new office would be an easy target for those opposed to any new state spending.
But in this case, the potential savings dwarf the limited initial expense – after startup, existing resources could be redeployed to cover expenses – charged with creating a single statewide health plan that providers, insurers, businesses and government could look to for cost certainty.
It's a relatively small investment in the state's health that could pay enormous dividends. •