2023 -- H 5987

========

LC002221

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT – OFFICE OF HEALTH AND

HUMAN SERVICES

     Introduced By: Representatives Casimiro, Spears, Noret, Baginski, and Morales

     Date Introduced: March 01, 2023

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Legislative findings.

     The general assembly hereby finds that:

     The FY 2023 state budget invested in a long-term plan to address systemic issues in the

health and human service delivery system by requiring that the office of the health insurance

commissioner shall conduct an analysis of the impact of the provisions of § 27-38.2-1(i) on health

insurance premiums and access in Rhode Island and submit a report of its findings to the general

assembly on or before June 1, 2023. Until such time as the rate-review process begins to yield

conclusions, it is critical for the state to continue making progress and maintaining investments in

staffing and the providers who are daily uplifting our most vulnerable residents. This investment

will provide a staircase towards rates that will likely be recommended in the rate-review process.

     SECTION 2. Chapter 42-7.2 of the General Laws entitled "Office of Health and Human

Services" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     42-7.2-2.1. Appropriation for stabilization and care for providers.

     There is hereby appropriated an increase of two hundred million dollars ($200,000,000)

(all funds) for home and community based providers of health and human services to provide a

minimum ten percent (10%) rate increase in the FY 2024 state budget in order that providers may

stabilize staffing levels, ensure adequate and safe care of residents and combat surging costs and

prices reflected in the annual inflation rate for the United States of six and four-tenths percent

(6.4%) for the twelve (12) month period ending January 2023 after rising six and five-tenths percent

(6.5%) previously, according to U.S. Department of Labor.

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.

========

LC002221

========

LC002221 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT – OFFICE OF HEALTH AND

HUMAN SERVICES

***

     This act would appropriate two hundred million dollars ($200,000,000) for home and

community based providers of health and human services to provide a ten percent (10%) rate

increase in order that providers may stabilize staffing levels, ensure adequate and safe care of

residents and combat surging prices.

     This act would take effect on July 1, 2024.

========

LC002221

========

LC002221 - Page 3 of 3