07-R127

2007 -- S 0838

Enacted 03/22/07

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

URGING THE GOVERNOR TO PROVIDE MEANINGFUL ASSISTANCE TO HELP

IDENTIFY AND ENROLL CHILDREN WHO QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID AND RITECARE

PROGRAMS AND URGING RHODE ISLAND'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO

ENSURE THAT CONGRESS PROMPTLY REAUTHORIZES THE STATE CHILDREN'S

HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM (SCHIP) ASSURING FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THE

RITECARE PROGRAM IN RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Senator John C. Revens

Date Introduced: March 07, 2007

      WHEREAS, The health of our children is of paramount importance to families in the

State of Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, Poor child health is a threat to the educational achievement, social and

psychological well-being of the children of this State; and

     WHEREAS, Protecting the health of children is essential to the well-being of our

youngest citizens and the quality of life in this State; and

     WHEREAS, The RItecare program is an integral part of the arrangements for health

benefits for the children in the State of Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, The value of the RItecare program in preserving child wellness, preventing

and treating childhood disease, improving health outcomes, and reducing overall health costs is

immeasurable; and

     WHEREAS, Because the federal SCHIP program provides Rhode Island’s RItecare

program with significant funding thus enabling RItecare to provide quality health care to some of

Rhode Island’s most vulnerable citizens, the federal funding available for the RItecare program is

indispensable to providing health benefits for children of modest means; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby urges the members of Rhode Island’s delegation to the United States Congress to ensure

that the Congress timely reauthorizes the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to

assure federal funding for the RItecare program in Rhode Island; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this Senate urges the Governor of the State of Rhode Island to use his

best efforts to work with the Rhode Island delegation to ensure that the federal SCHIP is

reauthorized in a timely manner; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby urges that all components of State government

work together with educators, health care providers, social workers, and parents to ensure that all

available public and private assistance for providing health benefits to uninsured children in this

State be used to the maximum extent possible; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this Senate urges the Governor to use his best efforts to provide

meaningful assistance to help identify and enroll children who qualify for Medicaid or the

RItecare programs; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation and

The Honorable Governor Donald Carcieri.

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LC02504

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