Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Home‑care groups and dual‑eligibility advocates warn FY2026 cuts will worsen workforce and services
Summary
Providers and advocates testified against budget language that would remove the annual cost‑inflation factor for home‑care Medicaid rates and end funding for a dual‑eligibility ombudsman program, saying the changes would hamper recruitment and harm vulnerable clients.
Home‑care providers, advocates for people who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, and community programs told the Senate Finance Committee on March 20 that proposed FY2026 budget changes would undermine a fragile home‑care workforce and cut services used by low‑income, elderly and disabled residents.
Nicholas Oliver, executive director of the Rhode Island Partnership for Home Care, said the governor's proposal would sunset the annual cost inflation factor (SIF) for Medicaid home‑care services, a statutory adjustment providers use to preserve labor competitiveness. "Removing the SIF in perpetuity will further weaken Rhode Island competitiveness in attracting and…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
