Providence, RI - September 22, 2010
Lt. Gov. Elizabeth H. Roberts and the Healthy RI Task Force will release the report, "Healthy RI Task Force: Getting National Health Reform Right for Rhode Island," at a press conference at 10:30 am on Thursday, September 23, 2010, exactly six months from the signing date of the national health reform law, at the Providence Community Health Center, One Warren Way off Allens Ave in Providence, RI. Jane Hayward, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Health Center Association, Don Nokes, president of Warwick-based NetCenergy and board member of the Rhode Island Business Group on Health, Vera DePalo, MD, president of the Rhode Island Medical Society, and Owen Heleen, vice president for grant programs at the Rhode Island Foundation, will give remarks at the conference. Additional participants of the task force from health centers, physician groups, government agencies, business groups, and others in the state's health care community also will be in attendance.
“I formed the Healthy RI Implementation Task Force to make sure Rhode Island is at the forefront in implementing the federal health reform law. 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," said Lt. Governor Roberts. "The task force has integrated 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. Their assistance and input contributed to a report that reflects much of the best thinking of Rhode Island's health care community as a whole," explained the Lt. Governor.
Over 150 dedicated Rhode Islanders generously gave their time and talent to the work of the Healthy RI Task Force throughout the summer of 2010. The Healthy RI Task Force is a broad coalition of business leaders, policy makers, physicians, nurses, other health professionals, representatives of insurers, hospitals, and health care agencies, academics, members of the General Assembly, and health advocates. Task force members served on one of seven work groups, among them: insurance market reform and coverage expansion; developing a health insurance exchange for more Rhode Islanders to get affordable health insurance; making payment and delivery system reforms; and accessing federal funding for reforms. Despite the wide and often disparate array of professional perspectives and interests in the group, the Task Force members worked together collaboratively throughout the process.
Who: Lt. Governor Elizabeth H. Roberts Jane Hayward, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Health Center Association Don Nokes, president of Warwick-based NetCenergy and board member of the Rhode Island Business Group on Health Vera DePalo, MD, president of the Rhode Island Medical Society Owen Heleen, vice president for grant programs at the Rhode Island Foundation Other participants of the task force from health centers, physician groups, government agencies, business groups, and others in the state's health care community.
What: Press Conference: Release of Healthy RI Task Force Report, "Getting National Health Reform Right for RI"
When: Thursday, September 23, 2010 at 10:30 am
Where: Providence Community Health Center, One Warren Way off Allens Ave in Providence (Note: The Health Center is set back but visible from Allens Ave and in a separate building from the administrative offices.) (www.providencechc.org)