R 298

2003 -- H 6465

Enacted 06/30/03

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

SUPPORTING HEALTH CARE ACCESS FOR ALL RHODE ISLAND RESIDENTS

Introduced By: Representatives Slater, Williams, Tejada, Coogan, and Giannini

Date Introduced: May 27, 2003

     WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island has the fourth highest health care spending in the

nation, 21.5% above the United States average and costing an average of $4,497 per person; and

     WHEREAS, 184,000 Rhode Islanders (20.9%) under the age of 65, and over 41 million

Americans have no health insurance whatsoever; and

     WHEREAS, Over 20% of Rhode Island residents earning between $15,000 and $19,000

have no insurance; and

     WHEREAS, Over 30% of Rhode Island residents earning between $20,000 and $34,999

have no insurance; and

     WHEREAS, Racial, income and ethnic disparities in access to care threaten Rhode Island

communities, particularly communities of color; and

     WHEREAS, Health care costs continue to increase, jeopardizing the health security of

working families and the economic and health security of small businesses; and

     WHEREAS, The growth of the non-white and Hispanic populations taken together grew

77% between the 1990 Census and the 2000 Census, and now comprise 18% of the Rhode Island

population. If disparities in insurance coverage persist for these groups as they continue to grow

in number, achieving universal coverage in Rhode Island will prove increasingly difficult; now,

therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby supports and shall enact legislation to guarantee that every person

in Rhode Island, regardless of income, age, employment or health status, has access to health care

that:

     Is affordable to individuals and families, businesses and taxpayers and that

removes financial barriers to needed care;

     Is as cost efficient as possible spending the maximum amount of dollars on

direct patient care;

     Provides comprehensive benefits, including benefits for mental health and long-

term care services;

     Promotes prevention and early intervention;

     Includes parity for mental health and other services;

     Eliminates disparities in access to quality health care;

     Addresses the needs of people with special health care needs and underserved

populations in rural and urban areas;

     Promotes quality and better health outcomes;

     Addresses the need to have adequate numbers of qualified health care

caregivers, practitioners, and providers to guarantee timely access to quality

care;

     Provides adequate and timely payments in order to guarantee access to

providers;

     Fosters a strong network of health care facilities, including safety net providers;

     Ensures continuity of coverage and continuity of care;

     Maximizes consumer choice of health care providers and practitioners; and

     Is easy for patients, providers, and practitioners to use and reduces paperwork.

=======

LC03268

=======