Commission on diversion to meet

By
-

PROVIDENCE – The Senate Commission on Emergency Department Diversion will hold its first meeting Nov. 9.
The commission, which will be led by Chairman Paul V. Jabour, D-Providence, is to comprehensively study and make recommendations on emergency room diversions for individuals with behavioral health issues. The commission is to report its findings and recommendations to the Senate by Jan. 31.
The first meeting is scheduled Wednesday, Nov. 9, at 2:30 p.m. in the Senate Lounge on the second floor of the State House.
The commission grew out of the studies of another Senate commission that worked earlier this year and last to make recommendations of ways to contain hospital costs and improve efficiency and transparency.
The new commission was created by legislation sponsored by Sen. Rhoda E. Perry, D-Providence, to allow for the study of whether and how Rhode Island could divert those seeking care in emergency rooms for behavioral issues such as alcohol or drug abuse to other means of care that could better address their issues. The commission, which consists of 19 members, will hold a series of hearings and convene stakeholders to discuss research and policy finding for potential policy recommendations.
Other members of the commission include:

  • Sen. Joshua Miller, D-Cranston, who will serve as co-chairman.
  • A senator to be named by Senate Minority Leader Dennis L. Algiere.
  • Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals Director Craig Stenning.
  • South County Hospital CEO Lou Giancola.
  • Dr. Richard J. Goldberg, Psychiatrist-in-chief at Rhode Island Hospital and The Miriam Hospital.
  • Lynne Lahey, RN of Roger Williams Medical Center.
  • Dr. Lisa Shea, Associate Medical Director at Butler Hospital.
  • Dr. Otis Warren, emergency room physician at Rhode Island Hospital.
  • Lou Parente of Med Tech Ambulance Service.
  • Det. Lt. Cory Jackson of the Pawtucket Police Department.
  • Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare.
  • Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island CEO Mark Reynolds.
  • Dr. Dale Klatzker, president and CEO of The Providence Center.
  • Elizabeth Earls of the Rhode Island Council of Community Mental Health Organizations.
  • SSTAR CEO Nancy Paul.
  • Jason Rhodes Chief of the Department of Health’s Division of Management Services.
  • Deb Florio of the Center for Child and Family Health at the Rhode Island Department of Human services.

    • RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

    No posts to display