| R 356 |
| 2026 -- H 8570 Enacted 05/21/2026 |
| H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N |
| PROCLAIMING MAY 22, 2026, AS "RHODE ISLAND COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND |
Introduced By: Representatives Giraldo, Blazejewski, Kazarian, Chippendale, Voas, Stewart, Alzate, Potter, Diaz, and Kislak |
| Date Introduced: May 21, 2026 |
| WHEREAS, For over fifty years, Rhode Island’s Community Health Centers have |
| provided high-quality, affordable, and comprehensive primary medical, dental, and behavioral |
| healthcare to residents across the State; and |
| WHEREAS, Qualified Rhode Island Community Health Centers provide care to more |
| than 200,000 Rhode Islanders annually, regardless of a person’s age, insurance status, or ability to |
| pay; and |
| WHEREAS, In addition, some Centers offer language interpretation and translation, as |
| well as transportation and case management; and |
| WHEREAS, Community Health Centers employ more than 2,000 physicians, nurse |
| practitioners, physician assistants, dentists, behavioral health providers, and support staff; and |
| WHEREAS, Rhode Island's Community Health Centers create and support more than |
| 3,000 jobs and generate more than $540 million in total economic activity; and |
| WHEREAS, The eight Community Health Centers providing services in all five Rhode |
| Island counties are: |
| • Blackstone Valley Community Health Care, Inc.; |
| • East Bay Community Action Program; |
| • Providence Community Health Centers; |
| • Thundermist Health Center; |
| • Comprehensive Community Action Program; |
| • Tri-Town Community Action Agency; |
| • WellOne Primary Medical & Dental Care; and |
| • Wood River Health; and |
| WHEREAS, Community Health Centers are governed by patient-majority boards, |
| ensuring the health centers hear and meet the needs of the patients and communities they serve; |
| and |
| WHEREAS, May 22, 2026, is a day to celebrate the legacy of Rhode Island’s |
| Community Health Centers, and their vital role in shaping the past, present, and future of Rhode |
| Island’s healthcare system; now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby |
| proclaims May 22, 2026, as “Rhode Island Community Health Center Day”; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to |
| transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Blackstone Valley Community Health Care, |
| Inc., East Bay Community Action Program, Providence Community Health Centers, Thundermist |
| Health Center, Comprehensive Community Action Program, Tri-Town Community Action |
| Agency, WellOne Primary Medical & Dental Care, and Wood River Health. |
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| LC006043 |
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