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Commission goal: accessible, affordable healthcare for all Rhode Islanders

The Rhode Island Foundation was the setting for the signing by Governor Lincoln D. Chafee of Executive Order 11-04 establishing the Rhode Island Healthcare Reform Commission. The governor stated, “We want Rhode Island to be a national leader in terms of implementing federal healthcare reform, with the overall goal of accessible and affordable healthcare for all Rhode Islanders.”

The Commission is an outgrowth of the Healthy RI Task Force that was formed last year to gather input and make plans for how our state can take advantage of the opportunities in the federal

 
Governor Lincoln D. Chafee signs Executive Order 11-04 establishing the Rhode Island Healthcare Reform Commission as Neil Steinberg and Owen Heleen, president and vice president for grant programs at the Foundation, respectively, and Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Roberts look on.
Affordable Care Act.

“The Healthcare Reform Commission will expand the efforts of the task force to ensure a more accessible and affordable healthcare system. Our goal is to maximize the benefits in the law for all Rhode Islanders, while identifying and addressing any challenges,” said Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Roberts who is leading the commission.

The commission will coordinate changes to the state’s healthcare system in accordance with federal mandates; help maximize opportunities for federal funding to aid implementing those mandates; and make ongoing recommendations to the governor to ensure quality, affordability, and sustainability in Rhode Island’s healthcare system.

 
Owen Heleen, vice president for grant programs at the Foundation, speaks at the September 2010 release of “Healthy RI Task Force Report: Getting National Health Reform Right for Rhode Island.”
In thanking the Foundation for hosting the ceremony, Governor Chafee stated, "We're fortunate in Rhode Island to have this organization which has done so much good in the state and continues to do that work.”

The work of the Commission is well-aligned with Foundation’s goal in the health sector to promote the development of a successful and effective system of primary care and to increase the access, affordability, quality of primary care for Rhode Island citizens. Owen Heleen, the Foundation’s vice president for grant programs, and Yvette Mendez, grant programs officer, members of the Healthcare Reform Commission.