Foundation chooses R.I. for health coverage program

PROVIDENCE – The nation’s largest health foundation has chosen Rhode Island to participate in a program to expand health care coverage, with the goal to cover 95 percent of Americans by 2020.
Rhode Island was selected by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation as one of 10 states to participate in its flagship program to implement key health insurance coverage provisions of the national health reform law.
Other states selected included Alabama, Colorado, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Virginia.
Under a newly created state health reform network, the participating states will received technical assistance in setting up insurance exchanges, instituting insurance market reforms, expanding Medicaid to newly eligible populations, streamlining eligibility and enrollment systems, and using data to drive decisions.
“I applaud the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for its leadership in this area and its support of our efforts to ensure that all Rhode Islanders have access to quality, affordable health care,” said Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee. “We are determined to make Rhode Island a national model in terms of successfully implementing these reforms, and this assistance will help us achieve that goal.”
Lt. Gov. Elizabeth H. Roberts said it was an honor to be selected. “As we continue to be a national leader in federal health reform implementation, Rhode Island families and businesses will share in the benefits of expanded access to health care coverage, with improved health and with care that’s delivered more efficiently and affordably,” Roberts said.