Roberts launches reform task force

PROVIDENCE – Lt. Gov. Elizabeth H. Roberts last week unveiled a new “Healthy R.I. Implementation Task Force” designed to ensure that the state “is proactive” in implementing the federal health reform law, with plenty of input from providers, business, consumers and others.
“We must be ready to take advantage of the many opportunities in the law that are available to our state, as well as anticipate and address any challenges that will face our state as this law takes effect,” she said. “The task force integrates all partners in Rhode Island’s health care community in a coordinated way to make sure the work gets done to create the maximum benefit for Rhode Island families and businesses.”
Roberts announced the project at a meeting at the R.I. Economic Development Corporation with heads of hospitals, health centers, physician groups, government agencies, business groups, and other “stakeholders,” including consumer advocates.
At the meeting, Roberts asked attendees to join work groups focused on specific areas, such as insurance market reform and coverage expansion; developing a health insurance exchange; making payment and delivery system reforms; and accessing federal funding for reforms.