Rhode Island Looks to Reform Medicaid; Cut Costs
Twitter: @markcurtisABC6
Governor Raimondo signed an order creating a 28 member “working group” to tackle the state’s Medicaid problem.
The joint–federal and state program provides health care to the elderly, disabled and poor.
But
“Seniors deserve good health care. And they deserve that health care delivered in a coordinated fashion and they also deserve a state that is fiscally sound,” said Gov. Gina Raimondo, (D)
Medicaid is being targeted with the state facing a 200 million dollar deficit.
ABC6 Chief Political Reporter Mark Curtis said, “In essence, the Governor says
“Bingo!” shouted one senior.
They were playing bingo at the Saint Martin de Pores senior center in
But folks there worry that if the state cuts 50 million dollars from Medicaid, it will affect them.
“I think it’s pretty important to me. I’m a very bad diabetic, and they play dfor my supplies and my medicine, and where would that leave me?” said Medicaid patient Julio Holley.
“I would suffer if they cut it. I really would. I depend on it. It covers a lot of my medical,” said Medicaid patient Olga Clarke.
But committee members say cuts in service, may not be necessary.
“If we find better ways of spending that money, and improving the care delivery system, but also trying to root out waste and inefficiency, I actually think we can improve care,” said Dennis Keefe, CEO of Care New England, and Chair of the Governor’s Medicaid panel.
Many Medicaid recipients, hope that strategy pays off for them.
