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RIte Care Update
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There were several changes to RIte Care included in the State Fiscal Year 2014 budget passed by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor.
Good News: Effective January 1, 2014, monthly RIte Care premiums for children will be eliminated, which means that children will no longer lose coverage due to a family's inability to pay the premium.
Bad News: Parent eligibility for RIte Care will be rolled back from 175% FPL ($34,178/year for a family of 3) to 133% FPL ($25,975/year for a family of 3) starting January 1, 2014. Affected parents who then will purchase commercial health coverage through the Rhode Island Health Benefits Exchange will be eligible for some financial assistance, the details of which are still being worked out. Rhode Island KIDS COUNT will continue to monitor and provide updates regarding these changes to RIte Care in future editions of this E-News.
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National KIDS COUNT Data Book
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The Annie E. Casey Foundation recently released the national 2013 KIDS COUNT Data Book, an annual comprehensive state-by-state report on children's well-being. The report finds that Rhode Island ranks 5th in the nation for health and 26th in the nation for overall child well-being (1st is the best and 50th is the worst). See the Rhode Island profile here.
State-by-state rankings and supplemental data are now available in the newly redesigned KIDS COUNT Data Center at www.datacenter.kidscount.org. Check it out! |
| In the News: Pediatric Dental Coverage |
Pediatric dental care and coverage was profiled in the July issue of Rhode Island Monthly Magazine.
Important information on RIte Smiles and the Molar Express was highlighted, and data from our Access to Dental Care Indicator was featured.
The article also provided an overview of pediatric dental policy developments related to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (national health reform). Rhode Island KIDS COUNT recently submitted comments to the Rhode Island Health Benefits Exchange and Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner regarding ways that Rhode Island can make affordable dental coverage available for more children.
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| Save the Date: Celebration of Children's Health Luncheon |
Rhode Island KIDS COUNT's annual Celebration of Children's Health Luncheon will be held on Monday, November 4th, 2013 from 12:00 to 1:30 pm at the Providence Marriott on Orms Street. The formal invitation will follow, but please note it in your calendar.
For more information, please contact Katy Miller, Communications Coordinator, Rhode Island KIDS COUNT. |
