TITLE 23

Health and Safety

CHAPTER 23-17.15

Long-Term Health Care Goals And Values

SECTION 23-17.15-1



   § 23-17.15-1  Legislative findings. –

It is found and declared as follows:



   (1) Rhode Island has a very high percentage of elderly

persons, and the percentage of elderly persons is expected to increase.



   (2) Rhode Island elderly and disabled persons desire access

to the complete range of long-term care services.



   (3) Coordination among existing long-term care programs needs

continued improvement.



   (4) Rhode Island needs to adopt goals and values for public

policy regarding long-term care such as those stated in the "Long-Term Care

Plan for Rhode Island 1995-2000" as prepared by the long-term care coordinating

council, pursuant to chapter 20 of title 40.



   (5) The citizens of Rhode Island deserve a long-term care

system that:



   (i) Is consumer-driven and includes consumers in long-term

care policy development; and



   (ii) Is seamless, with coordinated funding and

administration; and



   (iii) Encourages consumer rights, information, choice,

quality of care, safety, and quality of life; and



   (iv) Accommodates the preferences of consumers, most of whom

choose to remain independent and in their own homes and the community for as

long as possible; and



   (v) Offers a balanced array of services that are

cost-effective and meet consumers' needs.



History of Section.

(P.L. 1998, ch. 53, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 321, § 1.)