The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) and the Department of Human Services (DHS) are seeking interested parties to serve on the RI Global Consumer Choice Compact Waiver (Global Medicaid Waiver) Implementation Task Force to provide input on the planning and implementation of Medicaid reforms through the waiver.

Rhode Island recently received approval for the RI Global Consumer Choice Compact Waiver, or Global Waiver, from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on January 16, 2009. The Global Waiver establishes a new Federal-State compact that provides the State with additional flexibility in the Medicaid Program in providing services to meet the needs of Rhode Islanders. The waiver is effective from January 16, 2009 through December 31, 2013.

Gary D. Alexander, Acting Secretary of the Office of Health and Human Services, will appoint members of the taskforce that include individuals who represent the different populations groups listed above, who are knowledgeable about the needs of these populations and the services currently provided to them. The populations groups include:

• Children and youth with special health care needs
• Adults and children with developmental disabilities
• Adults with serious and persistent mental illness and/or addiction disorders and children with severe emotional disturbance
• Adults with disabilities
• Adults age 65 and older
• Low income children and families

The members of the taskforce will include: consumers or family members of consumers; members of advocacy or policy organizations; representatives from organizations that either provide services to or represent entities that provide services to Medicaid beneficiaries (including but not limited to health plans, hospitals, community health centers, community mental health organizations, licensed substance abuse treatment providers, licensed health care practitioners, nursing facilities, and home and community-based service providers) and members of the general public.

If you are interested in being considered to be a member of the taskforce, please send an email or letter by March 13, 2009 to:

Gary D. Alexander, Secretary Executive Office of Health and Human Services 600 New London Ave. Cranston, RI 02920 Galexand@dhs.ri.gov

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