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Governor Lincoln D. Chafee Signs Executive Order 11-04 Establishing RI Healthcare Reform Commission

Providence, R.I. – Governor Lincoln D. Chafee today signed Executive Order 11-04, which established the RI Healthcare Reform Commission. The Commission, to be led by an Executive Committee Chaired by Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth H. Roberts, will: coordinate changes to the state’s healthcare system in accordance with federal mandates; help maximize the opportunities for federal funding to aid in implementing those mandates; and make ongoing recommendations to the Governor to ensure quality, affordability, and sustainability in Rhode Island’s healthcare system.

“I am glad today to establish, with this Executive Order, the RI Healthcare Reform Commission,” Governor Chafee said. “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. This Commission, led by Lieutenant Governor Roberts, who has decades of valuable experience with healthcare-related issues, will be a key step toward achieving these goals.”

“As we move forward to make improvements to our healthcare system, our aim is to maximize the benefits for all Rhode Islanders,” Lieutenant Governor Roberts said. “I want to thank Governor Chafee for taking the proactive step of establishing this Commission. This is an important day for all Rhode Islanders, and I am ready to lead this initiative and look forward to the important and challenging work ahead for all of us.” The Executive Order builds upon the work already done by the Healthy RI Task Force, which was formed by Lieutenant Governor Roberts in April 2010 to address healthcare reform in a proactive manner.

Governor Chafee signed the Executive Order in a ceremony at the headquarters of the Rhode Island Foundation, a proactive community and philanthropic organization dedicated to meeting the needs of the people of Rhode Island. Lieutenant Governor Roberts and members of the Healthy RI Task Force, which concluded its final meeting prior to the signing, took part in the ceremony.

As designed in the Executive Order, the Commission will be led by a five-member, decision-making Executive Committee, comprised of: the Lieutenant Governor; the Director of Administration; the Health Insurance Commissioner; the Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services; and the Governor’s Policy Director. This Committee will receive input and consultation from the members of the Commission, which will include healthcare experts and representatives of stakeholder groups.

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