[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6612678,"mediaKeyId","2888909-ab591cd5d0efea5f6519845d7cdfd9bf","parentId",2888909,"title","EOHHS briefing flags audit adjustments, Medicaid program changes and new program-integrity proposals","audioSeconds",1693,"startMs",7023635,"endMs",8717069,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2888909-ab591cd5d0efea5f6519845d7cdfd9bf&start=7023&end=8717","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2888909-ab591cd5d0efea5f6519845d7cdfd9bf/thumbnail_7023635.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6612678/Rhode-Island/EOHHS-briefing-flags-audit-adjustments-Medicaid-program-changes-and-new-program-integrity-proposals","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612678-9f8266cff47776d2abf7e0c303715d38/orig.mp4?Expires=1770838187&Signature=FZFPibh36cCUpiJInzTYJJK7kscafY9sDowQb0Bm0T2Lzsl2wpyT3hYjQhhWoLFuIhLpEaD9mRZfxrkgMNStCHf4UUAAcq0oxEs1io~5aGoSmY7lt6A3CJ-7vRFW5wFyDqKKkR9RJlI0ukCicfE9qibDQCcaw3sFPZhUgYWjZASHQzhgGe2NCF7iPfRKuFimsJFU2ZDRKfCcpq8DiEwY7polL9Apz0BjMet~a9Dz-kPvZPHigV5ob7XdB2bjaHb4AJlP6DCFbLm282Xp7wPmtBpyqDbxpJB2LheCVQApOC9bUAC0tShWQDpdk0sW3thywBXruKaJFtXMWrr-GjDcpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State of Rhode Island","date","2025-04-02T00:00:00Z","article","The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) briefed the House Finance subcommittee on the governor's FY2026 proposals and on recent audit findings on March 4 and again during the April 1 subcommittee hearing. The presentation covered Medicaid program changes, an array of time-limited federal grant projects, and proposals for new data and technology investments.

Why it matters: EOHHS administers Medicaid and coordinates health-system programs across state agencies. Audit adjustments and decisions about provider rates, pharmacy policy and the Medicaid eligibility IT platform carry major fiscal and operational implications for the state's health spending.

Audit findings and fiscal adjustments
EOHHS staff reviewed the auditor general's FY2024 financial audit, which identified a number of material journal-entry corrections and cited weaknesses in financial oversight. The presentation noted that errors identified during the audit were corrected; EOHHS and committee members discussed steps to strengthen internal controls, including adding standard operating procedures and layered reviews for manual accruals and journal entries.

Medicaid program highlights
- Caseload forecasting: The governor's recommendation incorporates the November caseload estimate, with FY2026 changes dominated by Medicaid program adjustments. For FY2026 the recommendation is higher than enacted, largely driven by Medicaid caseload and rate adjustments.
- Hospital and nursing facility rates: The governor proposed caps on some provider rate increases, including a 2.3% cap for hospitals and nursing facilities; the recommendation seeks related savings in 2026. EOHHS staff described a separate multi-step redesign for nursing facility payments shifting to a patient-driven payment model (PDPM) effective Oct. 1 (a contractor-supported redesign and stakeholder engagement process was funded in the budget).
- Pharmacy policy: EOHHS has proposed a multi-year approach to reduce pharmacy spending, with a future implementation of a single preferred drug list (PDL) and other tools; the governor did not assume FY2026 savings from the pharmacy work but funded analytic and planning resources and proposed that savings begin in subsequent years.
- Program integrity: Article 3 includes a proposal to add positions aimed at detecting improper payments; EOHHS and DOA estimated recurring savings in the medical assistance program from enhanced audit and recovery activity (the budget included funding for new FTEs and contractor analytic support and assumed partial-year savings in FY2026).

Technology and long-term projects
EOHHS outlined major IT projects and their federal match assumptions. The Medicaid enterprise system replacement (a modern Medicaid claims and eligibility back office) was summarized with an overall long-term request; the governor's FY2026 plan contains initial funding and a state match component under the existing federal 90/10 rate. EOHHS noted federal uncertainty: the possibility that Medicaid match rates for certain technology projects could change would raise the state share substantially.

Federal grants and time-limited funds
EOHHS updated the subcommittee on opioid settlement accounts and federal ARPA/HSTP funds targeted to workforce and system transformation. The presentation listed spending plans for opioid abatement and health-system transformation funds and noted that some ARPA and HSTP programs are time-limited and will require decisions about sustainment if federal or one-time funding ends.

Questions and next steps
Committee members pressed officials about internal accounting controls that led to audit adjustments and asked how EOHHS will ensure accuracy in future closings. Members requested follow-up documentation about the program-integrity savings plan, nursing-facility payment redesign timelines and any legislative changes that would be needed to implement proposed pharmacy or licensing-fee changes. EOHHS said it would provide requested follow-up materials and that certain proposals will be addressed during subsequent article hearings.

Sources: presentation to committee by EOHHS fiscal staff (Linda and colleagues), Secretary Richard Charest, Medicaid Director Kristen Souza and related budget documents.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Committee on Finance - Subcommittee: 4-2-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Executive Office of Health and Human Services briefed the House Finance subcommittee on FY2026 budget proposals and recent audit findings, focusing on Medicaid program changes, provider-rate proposals, pharmacy policy work and a planned upgrade of the state's Medicaid technology platform.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature RI, Rhode Island","taxId",77689,"location","Rhode Island","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6612688,"House subcommittee reviews governor—s DHS budget as lawmakers press on Bridges, childcare and SNAP",1610,48635,1658695,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2888909-ab591cd5d0efea5f6519845d7cdfd9bf&start=48&end=1658","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2888909-ab591cd5d0efea5f6519845d7cdfd9bf/thumbnail_48635.jpg","/articles/6612688/Rhode-Island/House-subcommittee-reviews-governors-DHS-budget-as-lawmakers-press-on-Bridges-childcare-and-SNAP","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612688-ced01660f4324a636d62efb40b6f3ced/orig.mp4?Expires=1770838187&Signature=kqBdQbp1MNWXUljNnnIjzsVVBvIlxV064ED3z~eXGOcW1dhRsJpkqbjBxDCU9Mm8H2pHDjI2tbqA~V5xZahdrahyTsedpyeeBpkkr5xf4MHgK1opJff6ChRGjfqJ0~1j2-kuMyKxp-ZWQumOlK9v8s-S9J1ihA2OFU7TrH~1jckjTYTCY~v--wqUaHR~3b~gJe3mrBwO42bNZmUrkDtcsaMJs80hSVf~X1RfdkhZDfeZxspwP77RgJy9GxLvQZxAWPvgA98Ap6ILBmVgH2rsw6wI1DBGJqlw8jc3BYIJMBDDnzYJdoH9GU1C05DsKziDO~166lGfJPpd24XLmUA8lg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rhode Island House Finance subcommittee on health and human services heard an overview of the governor's recommended budget for the Department of Human Services on April 1, focusing on caseload-driven programs, the aftermath of a December data breach to the Rhode Island Bridges eligibility system and a number of time-limited grants and pilots.

Why it matters: DHS administers the state's major benefit programs and houses the Office of Healthy Aging. Changes to federal policy, the state's caseload estimates and the recovery of the Bridges system affect how much the state must budget for SNAP, Medicaid-related benefits and child-care subsidies.

The governor's recommendation preserves current service levels for caseload and benefits but assumes federal laws and policies in effect as of January 2025. Linda, the presenting fiscal staff member, said the combined budgets for agencies under the executive office total about $6.3 billion for FY2025 and $6.4 billion for FY2026, with Medicaid and related programs making up a large share of the spending.

Key program numbers and changes cited by state fiscal staff:
- SNAP: The governor recommends $393.1 million for FY2025 and $398.0 million for FY2026, primarily for benefits. The assembly added $11.0 million for a SNAP summer benefit program; the governor included $14.1 million in FY2025 and $14.8 million in FY2026 for related program expenses as participation increased.
- TANF: The budget includes about $118.9 million from TANF funds for 2025 and $122.4 million for 2026; the bulk supports child-care and Rhode Island Works services.
- Rhode Island Works (cash assistance): The governor's recommendation follows the November caseload estimate, showing roughly $35.5 million for 2025 and $37.3 million for 2026 (including related non-cash supports such as bus passes and clothing).
- Child care assistance: The budget recommendation is $71.7 million for FY2025 and $74.0 million for FY2026. The Assembly's 2024 actions raised provider rates by 5% and created a one-year pilot extending childcare benefits to eligible childcare educators; that pilot is scheduled to expire on July 31, 2025 under current law and the governor did not propose to extend it.
- Head Start: State support of Head Start is recommended at $4.2 million (a mix of TANF and general revenue) to support approximately the equivalent of 30 children in state-funded slots.

Rhode Island Bridges recovery and Snap Connect
Linda described the December 2024 data breach that took Bridges offline and forced DHS to revert to paper processes and manual workarounds for certain functions. Agency leaders said customer-facing benefits were maintained but some provider payments were delayed; the customer portal and mobile app have been restored and a phased bring-back approach continued through spring 2025.

DHS director Erica Brito said call-center wait time had fallen from a 56-minute average a year earlier to 24 minutes, and that restoration work had returned most system capabilities to service. The agency reported phased releases and the mobile application was relaunched during the review period. Brito also described an appointment-only pilot for one Providence site intended to improve in-person service flow while preserving walk-in and telephone access.

Childcare and related pilots
Lawmakers pressed DHS staff on the childcare-for-educators pilot and other pandemic-era stabilization programs. DHS officials said the pilot was unchanged in the governor's recommendation and would expire per current law, with the FY2026 numbers reflecting automatic 12-month continuous enrollment rules rather than a program extension. The budget also reflects previously appropriated federal stabilization funds and a $15.0 million capital distribution to providers established by the Assembly.

SNAP Healthy Incentives and retailers
The subcommittee discussed the SNAP healthy incentives pilot (50\u0000 incentive cents per dollar spent on produce), initially funded with general revenue. Agency staff said remaining unobligated funds from prior appropriations were programmed for FY2025. Lawmakers raised retailer technology barriers to implementing the incentives; DHS staff said administrative costs to equip and integrate retailer POS systems are a known hurdle and that the department continues outreach and technical assistance.

Medicaid caseloads, UHIP and other fiscal drivers
Linda reiterated that most DHS programs are subject to the semiannual caseload estimating process. The governor's recommendation includes caseload-driven adjustments that reflect the November estimates and certain transfers of contracted services (notably UHIP-related contracts) from DHS to the executive office for FY2026 accounting. The budget also assumes ongoing federal policy through January 2025; subcommittee members repeatedly asked staff to model potential federal funding changes but staff said specific federal proposals were still uncertain.

Other program notes
- Supplemental Security Income (state supplement): The governor recommends $16.6 million for both 2025 and 2026 in line with caseload estimates.
- Bridge program for individuals awaiting SSI decisions: $1.9 million in 2025 and $2.2 million in 2026 are recommended to reimburse certain pre-award expenditures when federal SSI benefits start.

What lawmakers asked: Members probed whether any FY2026 eliminations or reductions could affect access to child care, food assistance or eligibility processing. Representative Diaz repeatedly urged DHS to protect the childcare-for-educators pilot because of workforce impacts at local child-care providers. Several members sought clearer breakdowns of how federal SNAP and Medicaid changes would affect state spending if Congress adopts cuts; DHS staff said they were tracking federal developments but could not yet quantify impacts.

Ending note
The subcommittee did not take votes on the DHS budget during this hearing; staff provided detailed line items and said some technical adjustments and supplemental requests could be filed as the committee prepares formal budget motions in subsequent sessions.

Sources: presentation by Linda (state fiscal staff), testimony and Q&A with Director Erica Brito, and committee discussion.","The Rhode Island House Finance subcommittee on health and human services heard an overview of the governor's recommended budget for the Department of Human Services on April 1, focusing on caseload-driven programs, the aftermath of a December data breach to the Rhode Island Bridges eligibility system and a number of time-limited grants and pilots.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6612683,"Lawmakers press veterans office on home staffing, cemetery expansion and VFW service-office funding",1589,2564975,4154594,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2888909-ab591cd5d0efea5f6519845d7cdfd9bf&start=2564&end=4154","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2888909-ab591cd5d0efea5f6519845d7cdfd9bf/thumbnail_2564975.jpg","/articles/6612683/Rhode-Island/Lawmakers-press-veterans-office-on-home-staffing-cemetery-expansion-and-VFW-service-office-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612683-1290058ed37afbef848f1f149f3f3e00/orig.mp4?Expires=1770838187&Signature=efXlSo4alk38Tix0bPY4qn5WaMTPubJaP7N1juv6MjOBEUT65Y2ZYBohPwa9zRa~B1fNpCY6RP2pBhKE5HonixyfHg~LWj8LTxQnwLMVDNgtIL96F6SYlmhZiuVHe17SBW33WMcteKpUooezptAltah8gMQCfiQEadWk5~VB3rO9WqwSd-5tSKtSmCVF2Kp9SaTMn4WuaGJbcclyRbJG-wBq6lm7ke9yiAtB6G1CTtNfY458X2J6kKVXnRvAOLe1-0-HAO0nd5q4F1Umy2qaGBEO4L-6u4uisxFz9bxPtKTYPYmeqWOe3c8l7oJhxOXPAu82iVYzPo0WdzQU3GEyzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Finance subcommittee on health and human services took testimony on the governor's budget recommendations for the Rhode Island Office of Veterans Services and for veterans support organizations on April 1.

Why it matters: The veterans home in Bristol, the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Exeter and the statewide veterans'resource center are central to the state's services for veterans; operating and capital decisions affect long-term capacity, staffing needs and eligibility for federal matching funds.

Key fiscal items and capacity data presented
Veterans office staff and fiscal staff briefed the subcommittee on the governor's recommendations and operational status of key programs. Director Yarn (Office of Veterans Services) and presenting fiscal staff gave the following figures:
- Veterans home capacity and occupancy: The current facility, rebuilt and opened in 2017 with 208 beds overall, has six neighborhood units; as of April 1 the facility census was reported at roughly 41'43 residents, with one neighborhood (Foxtrot) offline and another only partially occupied.
- Governor's recommendation for veterans home operations: About $46.0 million for FY2026 primarily for salaries and benefits, plus $4.7 million for contracted medical staff and $10.7 million for daily operating expenses (food, medicine, supplies), consistent with a current-services budget that reflects recent labor agreements.
- Capital and asset protection: The governor's five-year capital plan included $5.7 million from Rhode Island Capital Plan funds for asset protection projects at the home and additional cemetery projects of $2.9 million for 2025 and $1.6 million for 2026. The cemetery five-year plan includes roughly $10.5 million from all sources for expansion and maintenance projects.
- Wait list: Director Yarn said the veterans home had a wait list in the range of 186 individuals; staff explained that much of the demand is for skilled nursing-level care among older veterans (Vietnam-era population was cited as a principal cohort).

Operations and staffing discussion
Agency leaders told the panel that the home experienced significant census declines early in the pandemic and that staffing shortages, particularly CNAs and LPNs, limited the ability to reopen some neighborhoods. The director described active recruitment steps, including two-day job fairs and partnerships with the Department of Labor and Training, and said filling vacancies was required before reopening additional neighborhoods.

Veterans Memorial Cemetery and burial policy
The subcommittee was told that the assembly had previously extended burial privileges to members of the state National Guard and reserves who met honorably discharged and residency criteria; expansion projects at the Exeter cemetery include additional walkway panels, columbarium walls and a new maintenance facility.

VFW service-office funding and testimony
Representatives of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW Department of Rhode Island) testified in support of continued state funding for a VFW-run service office that places VA-accredited service officers at the Providence VA regional office. Matthew McCoy and past state commander Tiger Patrick outlined that VFW service officers provide no-fee claims assistance and community outreach. The VFW asked the committee to preserve $100,000 in the FY2026 funding for ongoing operation of its service office; witnesses said the VFW's work returns substantial federal benefit flows to Rhode Island veterans (VFW testimony cited aggregate federal compensation and pension totals by ZIP code for calendar year 2024).

Other items discussed
- Digitization of veterans DD214 records: The assembly provided $250,000 that was reappropriated to 2025; the agency said the digitization project is underway.
- Operation Stand Down: The governor's budget included a $50,000 appropriation to Operation Stand Down (supportive services for homeless and at-risk veterans) and $100,000 for veteran services officers.

What legislators asked and next steps
Members pressed agency leaders on the scope of the wait list (individual vs. couple placements), the specific neighborhoods offline, and the planned uses of capital dollars. Representatives asked for more detail on how the staffing and recruitment strategies translate into reopening units and reducing wait times. No formal committee votes were taken at the hearing; agency staff said they would provide additional follow-up on vacancy counts and the status of capital project timelines.

Sources: testimony by Director Yarn (Office of Veterans Services), Matthew McCoy (VFW), Tiger Patrick (past state VFW commander) and the fiscal presentation by Linda (state fiscal staff).","The House subcommittee reviewed the governor's recommended spending for the Office of Veterans Services including operations at the Bristol veterans home, cemetery capital plans and a request from the Veterans of Foreign Wars for continued funding of its VA-accredited service officers.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6612670,"United Way urges the state to preserve $200,000 2-1-1 appropriation that supports statewide helpline",234,13472395,13706604,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2888909-ab591cd5d0efea5f6519845d7cdfd9bf&start=13472&end=13706","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2888909-ab591cd5d0efea5f6519845d7cdfd9bf/thumbnail_13472395.jpg","/articles/6612670/Rhode-Island/United-Way-urges-the-state-to-preserve-200000-2-1-1-appropriation-that-supports-statewide-helpline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612670-363877d8da18f80af813a28ab5903fea/orig.mp4?Expires=1770838187&Signature=XEJ1tBcWDFBtljYXiyW-pbCfe2hLNaIIGOCQaK69xmPHtz97o0v60rL~dau1Rb9w6Rn~mFVPJxJLlFP5hEiFnwEmptMBtl-I8SIvV49B4XY-lqxmojt-~xEBDfNPpNV4Q61KCgvOIFoxsyr9kGl22eTBEjRpU1RnF4KP7CuOOmkGVcxW-9PggbGvaTOLyA8xfcM3R1TbnUonU4tgd6gj8SEVuVNUdbd-8pieoQH8LmC3nSOSiPzupYxxCygOC8GL3hrwIDN3LIWgJoxvW-iX5WY9Khb4bbJnUwQHingZeXWJ6-7Y-MNk1BwhaZB5N6MFC5BACpZFLCv-IcUFMAOQWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","United Way representatives told the House Finance subcommittee that maintaining a $200,000 state appropriation for United Way 2-1-1 is a cost-effective way to keep a 24/7 multilingual navigation service operating for Rhode Island residents.

Why it matters: United Way 2-1-1 acts as a front door for residents seeking food, shelter, benefits and other social supports. During the Bridges outage and other system disruptions, 2-1-1 fields real-time requests and provides local information that can reduce emergency costs.

What United Way told the committee
Elijah McClain (manager of government relations and policy, United Way Rhode Island) told the committee that 2-1-1 handled nearly 213,000 contacts in 2023 and that the service provides real-time data on needs across the state's 39 municipalities. United Way said the appropriation supports live, trained navigators, the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) work, and outreach vehicles that reach neighborhoods statewide. United Way asserted that each dollar invested in 2-1-1 returns multiple dollars in avoided emergency and administrative costs.

Committee reaction and context
Legislators expressed support for 2-1-1 as a preventive, low-cost resource that helps residents access benefits and reduces calls on higher-cost services. Members asked about the service's reach into rural areas and its role during system outages; United Way said 2-1-1 was an active partner during the Bridges recovery and remains positioned to help residents navigate benefits and services.

No formal action was taken at the hearing; United Way asked the committee to preserve the $200,000 appropriation included in the governor's recommended budget.

Source: Testimony by Elijah McClain, United Way Rhode Island.","United Way and committee members told the subcommittee that the governor's FY2026 recommendation including $200,000 for United Way 2-1-1 would keep a statewide, 24/7 multilingual resource connected to human-services navigation. United Way cited operational returns and the service's role after the Bridges breach.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6612673,"Frontline workers warn conflict-free case management rollout has created unsustainable caseloads",592,12120601,12713295,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2888909-ab591cd5d0efea5f6519845d7cdfd9bf&start=12120&end=12713","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2888909-ab591cd5d0efea5f6519845d7cdfd9bf/thumbnail_12120601.jpg","/articles/6612673/Rhode-Island/Frontline-workers-warn-conflict-free-case-management-rollout-has-created-unsustainable-caseloads","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612673-f39576c91dbe7c5b014348b1fa8b87e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770838187&Signature=h7CbEaXQyYJwFGHfBZtwXIGPqDXfzE6kqyNvyVVf9C6EuvpI~Ut1zgNsNsKe634YgwN0qT744b0X4cUOBq8p3r0INR-2vrrsS4D~QDzVDw1vkfkB-KX-9H4Hx~lDd85CIlH7-fuWhXLVB6yMAjxc~wmDV-0qZjd~J45no7oIZjJH7f7kqZyIeJ3fIxnWLtGjFHv56YNWW1dZGa~o2K0l4XWdHcR2fI6HBhgir61ZytxT27K8xP4LmqRNNGWJEqnSvlaSL3Tu2b35ClE3W1OfoAF-L6Gwdc7W8ijyOgssstTIEL~-4FA2RwJgQOIKidHV3hSjgYgwrlYp9DvWc4uBKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Frontline case managers, supervisors and union representatives told the House Finance subcommittee that the state's implementation of conflict-free case management has increased worker caseloads and contributed to turnover, leaving some vulnerable clients with less consistent support.

Why it matters: Conflict-free case management is a federally driven model intended to separate assessment and support from service provision to avoid conflicts of interest. Workers said the rollout in Rhode Island has outpaced available provider capacity and staffing, producing unsustainable workloads for case managers responsible for person-centered planning.

Workers'accounts
Speakers from the Developmental Disabilities Council, BHDDH-contracted case managers and state casework supervisors described similar problems:
- High caseload counts: Case managers said realistic person-centered work requires significant time per individual; at stated caseload levels (examples cited up to 40'48 individuals per case manager), staff said they were reduced to surface-level contacts rather than a person-centered approach.
- Regionalization: Several speakers asked for regional assignment models so workers'travel times fall and appointment scheduling becomes more efficient (for example, grouping meetings geographically rather than statewide travel back and forth).
- Turnover and training: Frontline staff described rising turnover that increases reassignments and leads to a bottleneck in intake and service transitions.

Union and provider perspectives
Union and provider representatives who testified urged the committee to consider workload caps, better staffing ratios and predictable case-assignment rules. They said the conflict-free model requires sufficient provider capacity, clearer role definitions, and transition training so existing state and contract staff can perform the new functions without service interruptions.

Agency response and next steps
EOHHS and BHDDH staff acknowledged the rollout challenges and said they have been meeting with providers and stakeholders. Agency officials said they are working to refine the model and to provide technical assistance; to date, they reported continued outreach but did not announce a specific statewide caseload cap. Members asked for concrete staffing and workload data and asked the agencies to provide a regionalization and staffing plan in follow-up materials.

Sources: Testimony from Lina Souza (BHDDH frontline worker), Alex Blue (BHDDH case manager), Matthew Guttup (SEIU Local 580), and the Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council.","Frontline case managers and union representatives told the House subcommittee that the phased rollout of conflict-free case management at BHDDH and long-term support programs has increased workloads and turnover. Workers urged limits on caseload sizes, regionalization of assignments and more staffing to preserve person-centered casework.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

EOHHS briefing flags audit adjustments, Medicaid program changes and new program-integrity proposals

House subcommittee reviews governor—s DHS budget as lawmakers press on Bridges, childcare and SNAP

Lawmakers press veterans office on home staffing, cemetery expansion and VFW service-office funding

United Way urges the state to preserve $200,000 2-1-1 appropriation that supports statewide helpline

Frontline workers warn conflict-free case management rollout has created unsustainable caseloads