Gov. McKee’s Proposed FY 27 Rhode Island Budget: What’s in It for Seniors

Published in RINewsToday on February 2, 2026

Gov. Dan McKee outlined key elements of his proposed $14.8 billion FY 2027 budget during his State of the State Address on Jan. 13, 2026. Two days later, his full budget, proposing a 3.6% increase over the previous fiscal year, was officially released via press release.

The budget centers on an “Affordability for All” agenda and a $600 million bond package, covering the fiscal period starting July 1, 2026. Key proposals include a new income tax tier for earnings over $1 million, a permanent child tax credit, a phased elimination of the state tax on Social Security benefits, repeal of a gas tax increase, and continued investments in projects that support jobs and economic growth.

The proposal also aims to shield vulnerable Rhode Islanders from potential federal cuts, including the elimination of Affordable Care Act subsidies, changes in Medicaid eligibility rules, reductions in federal support for hospitals treating uninsured patients, and modifications to SNAP regulations.

“My commitments to Rhode Islanders are clear: putting more money back in families’ pockets, protecting the most vulnerable from President Trump’s safety net cuts, and keeping Rhode Island building to support good-paying jobs and long-term economic growth,” McKee said in a statement accompanying his full budget.

While the Governor’s plan emphasizes affordability through higher incomes and improved healthcare outcomes, along with proposing a 3% tax on high earners, Jesse Martin, Executive Vice President of SEIU 1199NE, cautions, “The plan falls short of what’s needed to meet these goals. What’s more, the state’s recent minimum wage increase has actually reduced take-home pay for low-income home care workers and cut care hours for their vulnerable consumers. Rather than reducing care, the governor should offset these costs through increased federal Medicaid funding.” Martin co-represents over 5,000 health care and service workers in Rhode Island.

Budget Highlights for Older Adults  

For over a decade, the Rhode Island General Assembly has considered measures to gradually eliminate or reduce the state tax on Social Security benefits. This budget proposes phasing out this tax over the next three years. The full cost impact would be $60.1Million in FY 2030.

In AARP Rhode Island’s 2023 Vital Voices survey of Rhode Islanders 45+, 89% agreed that “Rhode Island lawmakers should repeal the state tax on Social Security,” said State Director Catherine Taylor in a newspaper editorial. “This sentiment is consistent regardless of age, gender, or political party,” she said.

Laura Hart, Gov. McKee’s Deputy Director of Communications, notes that senior services funding has grown under his leadership: “In FY21, the budget included $0.8 million for senior services. By FY26, that number had risen to $1.6 million. For FY27, the governor recommends $1.8 million—more than doubling the funding since he took office.”

Hart adds, “Rhode Island is only one of eight states that tax Social Security income. This tax can discourage retirees from staying in the state and contributing to the economy. Under the Governor’s proposal, the phase-out prioritizes 9,000–10,000 early retirees whose average income is $44K single/$75K joint—clearly not high-income earners—and who represent one-third of the population currently subject to the tax.”

Aging advocates continue to push for an increase in funding for local senior centers, aiming for allocations equivalent to $10 per resident age 65 and older.

Support for Nursing Homes and Affordable Housing

“LeadingAge Connecticut & Rhode Island was pleased to see the Governor’s budget proposal include a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment for nursing home rates, along with an initial rate increase equal to 50% of Rhode Island’s Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner’s biennial rate review recommendation for many Medicaid-funded home and community-based services,” says President Mag Morelli. “We understand this increase is intended as the first phase, with the remaining 50% anticipated next year,” she said.

Morelli also highlights the Administration’s focus on affordable housing, noting the growing need for accessible and affordable options for older adults. She urges further support for Medicaid-assisted living programs to sustain existing services and promote expansion, which she describes as a cost-effective option supporting independence and choice.

Kathleen Gerard of Advocates for Better Care in Rhode Island, a member of the Raise the Bar on Resident Care Coalition, emphasizes the importance of transparency and resources: “As our long-term care system faces increasingly complex pressures, transparency, accountability, and adequate resources are critical to protecting the health and safety of older adults and people with disabilities.”

She adds, “In addition to enforcing the Nursing Home Staffing and Quality Care Act, Raise the Bar is calling for a full Medicaid cost-of-living increase for nursing homes—above the 2.5% proposed by Governor McKee. We also urge new funding for the Ombudsman program, which has gone years without an increase despite its vital role in helping residents resolve care concerns. Finally, we support the Department of Health’s nursing home financial transparency bill to ensure owners are accountable for public funds.”

Other Provisions

The proposed budget also aims to maintain enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies to keep coverage affordable for approximately 20,000 individuals. Without $9.5 million in state funding, an estimated 6,500 individuals could lose coverage.

The budget seeks to curb healthcare cost growth and increase drug-price transparency by authorizing the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner to set enforceable annual cost-growth targets and requiring Pharmacy Benefit Managers to report detailed rebate, pricing, and fee data. These measures are designed to improve oversight, contain costs, and reduce drug prices for older Rhode Islanders.

McKee also proposes a $19.3 million investment in information technology, personnel, and resources to ensure Rhode Islanders can retain Medicaid and SNAP benefits under the federal reconciliation bill H.R. 1, while maximizing federal funding for these critical programs.

Additionally, the budget allocates $10 million to Rhode Island-based hospitals through the Disproportionate Share Hospitals payment to offset uncompensated care losses. Funding for social and human services providers is increased by $23 million in FY27, and state funds to combat food insecurity are doubled, raising support for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank from $1 million to $2 million. According to America’s Health Rankings, roughly 4.1% of Rhode Island adults aged 60 and older face food insecurity.

Securing Affordable Living for All Older Rhode Islanders

SACRI was pleased to see McKee put emphasis on affordability in his budget address and his expressed support for increasing taxes on higher-income residents to fund essential services, said SACRI Policy Advisor Maureen Maigret. When hammering out the FY2027 budget proposal, she urges the  House and Senate Finance Committees to allocate additional funding for programs and services that assist low- and moderate-income older adults from across the state facing economic challenges. The reality is that  one out of four older RI households have income less than $25,00 and almost half have income less than $50,000. Affordability measures must be aimed at putting money in the pockets of all older adults and not just those fortunate enough to have higher incomes, stated Maigret.

According to Maigret, SACRI has proposed and shared its 2026 Affordability Agenda for Older Adults for the Rhode Island General Assembly to consider as it develops and finalizes the state’s FY2027 state budget. The agenda tackles significant inequities in state programs and services, she noted, pointing out that Medicaid currently allows older adults and adults with disabilities to have only $4,000 in assets (for individuals) to remain eligible. This restriction is particularly unreasonable for those trying to live independently at home, especially since other Medicaid populations do not face such limits. What happens when the roof needs repairs or the hot water heater breaks,” she said.

Maigret stressed that keeping people at home and out of more expensive nursing homes can save the state money over time. She added that in 2025 with strong advocacy from SACRI, strides were made in expanding eligibility for the Medicare Savings Program (MSP), and as of February 1, individuals with incomes up to $2,255 per month are eligible—provided their assets are below $9,660.

SACRI advocates joining at least 12 other states in removing Rhode Island’s MSP asset limitation so that hundreds more Medicare recipients could have their $202.90 monthly Part B premium covered by the federal government. The savings would flow back into the state economy as recipients use the funds for basic needs.

SACRI supports the Governor’s proposed child care tax credit and also advocates for a similar credit for the hundreds of unpaid caregivers providing at-home care for older loved ones, often at significant financial sacrifice.

“We also strongly support Rep. Karen Azalter’s (D-Dist. 60, Pawtucket, Central Falls) and Senator Melissa Murray’s legislation (D-Dist. 24, Woonsocket, North Smithfield) legislative proposals  (H7313 and S2238) to create a 3% surcharge on the top 1% of income earners. The projected revenue of more than $200 million would help offset the modest costs of the proposals in our agenda, as well as other programs affected by federal changes,” Maigret said.

Next Steps

“The submission of the budget by Governor McKee signals the start of the months-long budget process,” says House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick). The House and Senate Finance Committees will hold dozens of public hearings, all televised by Capitol TV, to scrutinize every aspect of the budget.

Shekarchi adds, “We welcome all interested parties to testify at the State House. Once the hearings are completed, the House, Senate, and Governor will work together to finalize the budget in late May for adoption in June. Once enacted, it will go into effect on July 1.”

To view Governor McKee’s full budget submission, visit: https://omb.ri.gov/budget-office/fy-2027-governors-budget.

Shoveling: When a Simple Winter Chore Turns Life-Threatening

Published in Blackstone Valley Call & Times on January 27, 2026

With an upcoming winter storm forecast for New England, Michelle Clark, Executive Director of the Southern New England American Heart Association, is urging older Rhode Islanders to take extra precautions when shoveling snow. She warns that sudden physical exertion in cold temperatures may lead to an increased risk of heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest.

This historic winter storm is already impacting the South and has brought destructive ice and heavy snow across 34 states, including the Midwest and Northeast. The arctic blast has brought extremely cold temperatures to the Eastern U.S. from Sunday through the week.

According to RINewsToday, Rhode Island has receive 16.5″ of light and fluff, on average.  Specifically, official observations compiled by weather services, here are some specifics: Providence and nearby areas saw around 14 5 to 16.8 inches; West Warwick (15 inches); East Greenwich (12.1 to 12.3 inches); Westerly and North Kingston (11 to 13.5 inches); North Providence (18.4 inches); East Providence (12.1 inches); and Pawtucket (13.5 to 14 inches).

Snow Shoveling Can Be Hazardous to Your Health

With heavy snow accumulation comes the responsibility of clearing sidewalks. However, shoveling snow in extreme cold can be dangerous—and even deadly—if proper safeguards are not taken.

“Older adults, especially those with a history of heart disease or major risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, overweight or obesity, or who currently smoke, should not be shoveling snow under any conditions,” Clark says.

Snow shoveling is a physically demanding activity that can place significant stress on the heart, particularly for individuals who are not accustomed to regular exercise. Numerous scientific studies over the years have documented the dangers of snow shoveling for people both with and without known heart disease.

“The risk is especially concerning for people with cardiovascular risk factors, including a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, current or former smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure, as well as those who have previously had a heart attack or stroke,” Clark explains.

Clark points to a 2020 AHA scientific statement, “Exercise-Related Acute Cardiovascular Events and Potential Deleterious Adaptations Following Long-Term Exercise Training: Placing the Risks Into Perspective—An Update,” which identifies snow shoveling as a high-risk activity that places added strain on the heart, particularly among individuals who are not accustomed to regular physical activity.

“Research has found that the strain of heavy snow shoveling can be as demanding on the heart as a treadmill stress test,” Clark says. “Shoveling relies heavily on arm work—known as isometric or static exertion—which is more taxing on the heart than leg work. While lifting heavy shovelfuls of snow, people often unconsciously hold their breath, causing increases in heart rate and blood pressure,” she notes.

 Combined with the effects of extreme cold, Clark warns, snow shoveling creates “a perfect storm” for a heart-related event. “The impact can be worse people who are the least fit,” she adds.

 Clark cautions older adults against viewing snow shoveling as routine household work. “The movements are extremely demanding and can cause significant spikes in heart rate and blood pressure. Cold air also constricts blood vessels, forcing the heart to work harder under conditions that limit its ability to function efficiently.”

She emphasizes that warning signs—such as chest pain or pressure, lightheadedness, heart palpitations, or irregular heart rhythms—should never be ignored. “If symptoms occur, stop immediately,” Clark says. “Call 9-1-1 if symptoms do not subside shortly after stopping. If someone collapses while shoveling, call for help right away and begin Hands-Only CPR if the person is unresponsive and has no pulse.”

 Tips to Reduce the Risk of Snow Shoveling

 Clark recommends that individuals with known or suspected heart disease—or significant risk factors—ask someone else to handle snow removal whenever possible.

“If you must shovel, start slowly and pace yourself,” she advises. “Push or sweep the snow rather than lifting and throwing it, which requires less exertion. Cover your mouth and nose, dress in layers, and wear a hat and gloves.”

 She also cautions against shoveling during windy conditions, noting that wind chills make temperatures feel colder and increase strain on the body. 

When possible, Clark recommends using an automated snow blower instead of a shovel. “While caution is still necessary, research shows that using a snow blower doesn’t elevate heart rate as much as shoveling,” she says. “Snow blowing typically raises heart rate to about 120 beats per minute, compared to around 170 beats per minute during shoveling.”

Pandemic Lessons: “Essential Caregivers Act” Can’t Wait. A Merciful, Bipartisan Bill for a Voiceless Population

Published in RINewsToday on January 19, 2026

As COVID-19 spread rapidly across the country in March 2020—entering nursing homes largely through community transmission and staff movement—the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidance calling for nationwide visitor bans in nursing homes. These strict restrictions barred all visitors and non-essential health care personnel, with limited exceptions for hospice care.

According to March 29, 2025 article, “Changes in Federal and State Policies on Visitation Restrictions in Nursing Homes During the COVID-19 Pandemic,” published in the Journal of Applied Gerontology, 31 states enacted statewide indoor visitation bans through executive orders between March 9 and April 6, 2020, and the end dates were between 6/15/2020 and 3/24/2021. CMS would later relax its guidance, permitting indoor visitation when facilities reported no new COVID-19 cases for 14 days and community positivity rates were low.

Charlie Galligan, a licensed criminal defense investigator in Rhode Island, knows firsthand the toll those restrictions took. He and his wife, Kerry, provided daily care for his parents for 13 years—his father, Jack, who died from Alzheimer’s disease in 2022, and his mother, Audrey, who lives with a traumatic brain injury. Balancing work with caregiving became the catalyst that pushed Galligan to lobby Congress to prevent the prolonged and unnecessary isolation of nursing home residents during future pandemics, including advocating for policies that allow designated family caregivers to visit.

“Long-term care lockdowns continued well after humane safety measures were established and family caregivers had been vaccinated,” Galligan claimed, noting that countless residents died alone as a result. “Daughters were forced to say goodbye to mothers with Alzheimer’s over FaceTime—often staring at their phones as exhausted staff struggled to provide even minimal connection.”

A Legislative Effort Revisited

The initial legislative proposal—the Essential Caregivers Act (H.R. 3733)—was introduced in June 2021 to reaffirm and enforce the right of nursing home residents to receive visits from family and friends during declared emergencies. When that proposal stalled due to the absence of a Senate companion bill, a second attempt followed the next year with the introduction of S. 4280/ H.R. 8331.  Political insiders say that these bills stalled due to the legislative process, timing, and competing priorities not because Congress rejected the process. Most recently, the Essential Caregivers Act of 2025 was reintroduced last month.

On Dec. 16, 2025, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Representative Claudia Tenney (R-NY) introduced bipartisan legislation in their respective chambers to prevent a repeat of the prolonged isolation and reduced care nursing home residents faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and U.S. Representative John B. Larson (D-CT) joined them in cosponsoring the Essential Caregivers Act.

The Senate bill, S. 3492, currently with seven cosponsors, was referred to the Senate Finance Committee. That same day, the companion measure, H.R. 6766, with 35 cosponsors, was introduced in the House and referred to the Ways and Means Committee and the Energy and Commerce Committee.

“Our movement to enact the Essential Caregivers Act is not led by professionals or lobbyists,” Galligan said. “We are simply a determined group of family caregivers—primarily brilliant, tenacious women from across the country, and one token guy from Rhode Island—who love our mothers and fathers and refuse to accept silence and separation as acceptable standards of care.”

Congressional Supporters Call for Passage

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, we experienced how dangerous and inhumane it is to isolate seniors and vulnerable patients from the people who care for them the most, say Rep. Tenney, in a statement announcing the introduction of the bill.  “Families were locked out, residents declined rapidly, and farm to many suffered alone,” she said.

“The Essential Caregivers Act ensures that this never happens again,” says Rep. Tenney, noting that they are loved ones, not visitors.  “They are caregivers, advocates, and lifelines. This bipartisan legislation protects dignity, safeguards patient rights, and makes sure compassion and comment sense guide our response during an future emergency,” she adds.

Sen. Blumenthal emphasized the bill’s bipartisan intent. “By allowing at least one designated essential caregiver to have safe, in-person access to their loved ones during an emergency, our legislation ensures that residents will never again face the devastating isolation experienced by so many during COVID-19,” he said.

Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed, a cosponsor of the Senate bill, echoed that sentiment. “We want to keep people safe from germs, but we also want to keep them connected—because isolation can take a real toll on health,” Reed said. “Essential Caregivers Act would ensure that even during limited visitation, residents can still have in-person contact with a loved one.”

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse has expressed support and is on a waiting list to cosponsor it – cosponsors are being added in bipartisan pairs. “Loneliness can take a real toll on residents of long-term care facilities,” he said. “This legislation recognizes the critical role loved ones play in supporting residents’ well-being, even during public health emergencies.”

Not yet committed to cosponsoring are Rhode Island’s two Representatives

At press time, Rep. Gabe Amo, had not yet committed to cosponsoring the bill. “I am reviewing the Essential Caregivers Act of 2025,” Amo said. “Family caregivers are the backbone of our long-term care system, and I remain committed to advancing policies that support patients, caregivers, families, and health care providers.”

Like his House colleague, Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-RI), has not yet committed to sponsoring the bill. Magaziner acknowledges the importance of allowing nursing home residents access to their loved ones and is open to considering the legislation. However, he is also working to understand what safeguards would be in place to ensure resident safety during emergencies, according to Noah Boucher, the lawmaker’s communications director.

The Nuts and Bolts

Recognizing that family members are essential to residents’ care and well-being, S. 3492 and H.R. 6766 aim to prevent the emotional, psychological, and physical harm caused by prolonged separation during public health emergencies.  This bill strikes a balance protecting public health while safeguarding the wellness of residents.

The Essential Caregivers Act requires nursing facilities receiving Medicare or Medicaid funding to participate. It guarantees that at least one designated essential caregiver may access a resident during periods of restricted visitation, provided the caregiver follows the same safety protocols as facility staff. If a resident is unable to designate a caregiver, a representative may do so on the resident’s behalf.

The legislation also affirms caregivers’ rights to advocate for residents, participate in care planning, and ensure residents’ civil rights are protected. Additional provisions address roommate rights, as well as exemptions for end-of-life and compassionate care.

Facilities must provide written justification if caregiver access is denied, with appeals overseen by state survey agencies.

The bill has been endorsed by the AARP and Consumer Voice.

Rhode Island Advocates Call for Passage

Calling for passage of the legislation, Rhode Island Long-Term Care Ombudsman Lori Light said the COVID-19 pandemic made painfully clear how critical family caregivers are to residents’ health, safety, and well-being.

“During extended lockdowns, we witnessed firsthand the profound impact isolation had on residents, including increased depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, weight loss, and loss of engagement in daily life. For many residents, family members are not simply visitors—they are essential partners in care – they provide emotional support, help residents communicate their needs, notice subtle changes in medical conditions, and advocate when something doesn’t seem right. When access was cut off, residents lost a vital layer of protection and connection. The lessons we learned during COVID-19 must guide future policy decisions,” Light said. “No resident should ever again experience prolonged isolation from the people who know them best,” said Light.

According to Deb Burton, MS, executive director of RI Elder, the isolation imposed on long-term care residents during the pandemic was devastating. While infection control was essential, she said, the complete separation of residents from their families caused profound and lasting harm. Burton, a gerontologist, noted that residents experienced rapid physical, cognitive, and emotional decline.

“Families endured anguish knowing their loved ones were frightened, confused, and alone during the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Family members are not simply visitors—they truly are essential caregivers. They provide a familiar face, a steady hand to hold, and an understanding of a resident’s routines, preferences, and communication needs. This is especially true for individuals living with dementia or other forms of memory loss, for whom familiarity and connection are critical to well-being and safety,” Burton said.

Comments from the American Health Care Association 

While expressing support for family involvement, the nursing home industry has raised concerns about certain provisions of the bill.

From Holly Harmon, senior vice president of quality, regulatory, and clinical services at the American Health Care Association: “While we wholeheartedly support family members taking an active role in their loved one’s care, there are certain provisions of this bill where we have concerns. Mainly, we believe each situation, including public health emergencies, requires a collaborative process among public health officials and stakeholders to determine the most appropriate way to keep residents safe and loved ones connected, rather than implementing a blanket, inflexible process for all situations. We hope to work with lawmakers to make improvements to these proposals as the engagement of loved ones is critical to our residents’ wellbeing.

“Despite our caregivers doing everything they could to step in for family members during the pandemic, we were deeply concerned about the prolonged isolation of our residents. Public health officials were put between a rock and a hard place on how to best protect those in long term care, and due to the vicious nature of the virus on our resident population, it was determined best to restrict visitors and social interactions. Nursing homes were required to follow these restrictions until March 2021, and even then, CMS and CDC had strict guidelines due to the ongoing spread of the virus.

“The best way to prevent this global tragedy again is for officials to prioritize long term care residents and staff during public health emergencies, so that they can remain protected, active, and engaged with their loved ones and the community.”

A Final Note…

The best way to prevent another tragedy is to prioritize long-term care residents and staff during public health emergencies, so they can remain protected, active, and connected to loved ones. We must learn from the painful lessons of COVID-19. No one should be forced to decline alone, grieve alone, or die alone because of a lack of clear policy, RIElder’s Burton added. She noted that the Essential Caregivers Act ensures that in the next public health emergency” when it could be any one of us in a facility” we will not be separated from the person who knows us best and stands ready to advocate for us.

Caregiver Galligan remains hopeful. “This is simply a merciful bill for a voiceless population”, he said.

(updated 1-21-26)