Rhode Island KIDS COUNT and The Poverty Institute are pleased to announce a new joint initiative called the Rhode Island Health Coverage Project. Funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the project will work to ensure that the perspectives of consumers are considered as Rhode Island sets the state policies that are needed to implement the federal Affordable Care Act in Rhode Island. The unique needs of people of color, people whose first language is not English, people who have limited literacy skills and people with disabilities will be a particular focus of the project.   

The goal is to ensure that health coverage options, including RIte Care, Medicaid and the Rhode Island Health Insurance Exchange, are high-quality, comprehensive, easy to access, and affordable for all children, adults and families in Rhode Island. 

A Leadership Team comprised of representatives from Health RIght, John Hope Settlement House, Progreso Latino, Rhode Island State Council of Churches, Rhode Island Free Clinic, Rhode Island Health Center Association, Rhode Island Parent Information Network, and the Socio-Economic Development Center for Southeast Asians will guide the project. Amy Black, who brings considerable experience on health care reform issues, has been hired to lead the project. She can be reached at [email protected] or 401-456-8019.