TITLE 40

Human services

CHAPTER 40-8.4

Health Care For Families

SECTION 40-8.4-16



   § 40-8.4-16  Pilot program for the

uninsured – Legislative findings. –

(a) The general assembly hereby finds and declares that:



   (1) Although Rhode Island has one of the highest rates of

health insurance coverage in the nation, gaps in coverage remain and the rate

of coverage dropped significantly during the past year; and



   (2) From 2001-2002, the state's uninsured rate for working

age adults went from eight percent (8%) to eleven percent (11%), one of

eighteen (18) states in the country with a significant increase; and



   (3) Significant health insurance premium rate increases over

the past two (2) years especially for small businesses and the self-insured are

contributing to an increase in the rate of the uninsured; and



   (4) The largest segment of uninsured Rhode Island residents

are adults with low incomes many of whom are employed; and



   (5) Individuals without health coverage often resort to

expensive emergency room care that ultimately drives up the overall cost of

care for everyone and adds to the state's uncompensated care burden; and



   (6) Rhode Island residents use of the emergency room services

is greater than that of the nation; and



   (7) The Institute of Medicine defines primary care as the

provision of integrated, accessible health care services by clinicians who are

accountable for addressing a large majority of personal health care needs,

developing a sustained partnership with patients, and practicing in the context

of family and community; and



   (8) Access to primary health care should be available to

every resident of the state regardless of income and whether or not they have

access to health insurance.



History of Section.

(P.L. 2004, ch. 587, § 1.)