Tag Archives for Maureen Maigret

Aging Policy in 2025: Rhode Island Legislative Wins and What’s Missing

Published in RINewsToday.com, July 14, 2025 

On June 24, 2025, with a 35-2 vote in the Senate, the Rhode Island General Assembly has given its approval to a $13.963 billion budget for the 2026 fiscal year that directs additional funding toward addressing the state’s housing and homelessness crisis, improving access to health care, supporting municipalities through increased revenue sharing, more funding for the state’s Rhode Island Public Transit Authority, extending childcare subsidies for toddlers and infants, and increasing Medicaid reimbursement to primary care providers, nursing homes and hospitals, among its directives.

Faced with a slowing economy and impending federal budget cuts, lawmakers were tasked with closing a $250 million deficit without resorting to broad tax hikes or cuts to essential services. To generate revenue, they implemented new electric vehicle (EV) registration fees, adjustments to the gas tax, and increases in real estate conveyance and hotel taxes. Additionally, tolls on large trucks (18-wheelers), which were approved in 2016 but delayed due to litigation from the trucking industry, are now set to be implemented following the state’s legal victory. The FY 2026 budget includes revenue from these tolls, which are scheduled to take effect.

According to Larry Berman, House Director of Communications, when the dust settled at the conclusion of this year’s 164-day legislative session, lawmakers introduced 1,430 bills and resolutions in the House and 1,165 in the Senate. Of those, the Governor signed 384 House and Senate bills into law, while another 125 became law without his signature.

The Governor is not required to act on resolutions. During the session, the House passed 238 resolutions and the Senate passed 127, most of which expressed congratulations or condolences, says Berman.

As Rhode Island’s population continues to age, advocacy organizations urged lawmakers to consider an array of legislation aimed at enhancing the delivery of state programs and services for older residents—and strengthening protections for their health, safety, financial security, and overall well-being.

Below is a selection of key laws enacted, organized by category:

Healthcare and Insurance

Lawmakers increased insurance coverage for hearing aids from $1,500 to $1,750 per ear, applicable to all ages. Additionally, the new law allows for hearing aid purchases every year, rather than every three years. Sponsored by Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee (D-Dist. 33, South Kingstown, Narragansett), H 5218,  and Sen. Leonidas P. Raptakis (D-Dist. 33, Coventry, West Greenwich, S 0120, this legislation has been signed by the Governor.

The General Assembly passed S 0610B introduced by Senate President Valarie J. Lawson (D-Dist. 14, East Providence) and Rep. Kathleen A. Fogarty’s (D-Dist. 35, South Kingston), bill, H 5494A.  The new law provides new consumer protections for Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) and aligns Rhode  Island’s market with neighboring states. Additionally, the budget expanded the Medicare Savings Program, helping more beneficiaries with premiums and co-pays.

With the passage of S 0169A  sponsored by Sen. Jacob E. Bissaillon (D-Dist. 1, Providence) and H 5184A by Rep. Mary Ann Shallcross Smith (D-Dist. 46, Lincoln, Pawtucket), the new law protects homeowners from medical debt-related liens on their primary residence. Medical bills are among the top reasons underlying bankruptcy among Americans. This law takes effect on Jan. 1.

Senate President Lawson and Rep. Joshua J. Giraldo (D-Dist. 56, Central Falls) sponsored S 0974aa and H 6066A to expand paid family leave under the Temporary Care Insurance (TCI) program. Starting in January 2027, the TCI wage replacement rate will increase from 60% to 70%, and then to 75% in January 2028. This expansion is funded through a modest increase in the payroll contribution cap, which will not impact the state budget.

Consumer Protections and Financial Legislation

The General Assembly passed S 0016A and H 5121A, introduced by Senate Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technologies Committee Chairwoman Victoria Gu (D-Dist. 38, Westerly, Charlestown, South Kingstown) and Rep. Julie A. Casimiro (D-Dist. 31, North Kingston, Exeter). Signed by the Governor, the new law aims to prevent scams involving cryptocurrency ATMs, a growing fraud scheme in Rhode Island. 

According to AARP, recently 11 states have passed laws or regulations that put key consumer fraud protections on cryptocurrency ATMs in place. Americans lost more than $246 million to crypto ATM fraud and scams in 2024 alone, and older adults are disproportionately targeted by criminals.

With the passage of H 5042A and S 0229A, sponsored by Rep. Karen Alzate (D-Dist. 60, Pawtucket, Central Falls) and Sen. Ana B. Quezada (D-Dist. 2, Providence), a new law eliminates the special exemption that allowed payday lenders to charge exorbitant interest rates of up to 260% APR. This reform helps protect consumers from falling into predatory debt cycles.

Lawmakers passed H 5185A and S 0133A sponsored by Rep. Susan R. Donovan (D-Dist. 69, Bristol, Portsmouth) and Sen. Matthew L. LaMountain (D-Dist. 31, Warwick, Cranston).  Signed into law by Gov. Dan McKee, it prohibits predatory real estate practices that often target older homeowners, preventing them from facing liens or other issues related to their properties.  The bill is based on model legislation that has been adopted in 30 other states. The legislation was backed by AARP, the American Land Title Association and the National Association of Realtors.

Support for Vulnerable Populations

Rep. Tina L. Spears (D-Dist. 36, Charlestown, New Shoreham, South Kingstown, Westerly) and Sen. Todd M. Patalano (D-Dist. 26, Cranston) sponsored H 6165A and S 0983A to create the PURPLE Alert system. Signed into law, this new initiative is designed to quickly locate missing adults with serious disabilities whose health and safety are at risk.

Legislation (S 0381A / H 5833A), sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Frank A. Ciccone III (D-Dist. 7, Providence, Johnston) and Rep. Mary Ann Shallcross Smith, now law, allows licensed hairdressers to provide in-home services to individuals with special needs or sensory-related disorders. This new law ensures that such services are provided in accordance with individual care plans verified by a licensed healthcare professional.

Now law, (H 5017A/ S 0884), sponsored by Rep. Samuel A. Azzinaro (D-Dist. 37, Westerly),  and Sen. Walter S. Felag Jr. (D-Dist. 10, Warren, Bristol, Tiverton), protects veterans from improper conduct or excessive fees by individuals assisting them in filing disability claims with the Department of Veterans Affairs, except as authorized by federal law, and it imposes penalities under the deceptive trade practices provisions.

The General Assembly passed legislation (S 0884 / H 5017A) that grants people the right to repair their own complex power wheelchairs and mobility aids. Sponsored by Sen. Mark McKenney (D-Dist. 30, Warwick) and Rep. Grace Diaz (D-Dist. 11, Providence), this new law requires manufacturers to provide independent service providers with the necessary tools and repair information. Under the new law, manufacturers are prohibited from using parts that would prevent installation of any non-manufacturer-approved replacement part or component. Also, a health plan’s coverage and payment is not allowed to require any form of prior authorization or medical documentation to complete repairs for consumer-owned complex rehabilitation technology.

Deputy Majority Whip Mia A. Ackerman (D-Dist. 45, Cumberland, Lincoln) and Sen. Pamela J. Lauria (D-Dist. 32, Barrington, Bristol, East Providence) introduced H 5619 and S 0481, directing the Department of Health to collaborate with the state’s advisory council on Alzheimer’s to distribute educational materials. With the bill’s passage, signed into law, these resources will help  educate both the public and medical providers on prevention, early detection, and management of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Legislative Changes and Reforms

Sen. Melissa Murray (D-Dist. 24, Woonsocket, North Smithfield) and Rep. Brandon Potter (D-Dist. 16, Cranston) sponsored legislation (S 0120, H 5218) to create a three-year pilot program to remove prior authorization requirements for medically necessary care ordered by primary care providers.  Now law, the program is designed to reduce administrative delays and improve patient access to timely care.

Two bills sponsored by Sen. Pamela Lauria and Rep. Michelle McGaw (D-Dist. 71, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Little Compton) improve pharmacy flexibility. The first (H 5633, S 0483aa) allows pharmacists to dispense a one-time refill for up to 100 days if the prescriber is unavailable. The second bill (S 0482A H 5855A) simplifies the process for substituting therapeutically equivalent prescription drugs or devises. Such substitutions typically occur at the request of an insurer, and the current process requires the pharmacist to contact the patient’s prescriber for approval before filling it.

Observations from Aging Advocates:

Lori Light, the state’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman, frequently observes that facility staff accused of abuse are often terminated from one facility only to be rehired by another, with the new administrator unaware of the prior allegations. “While it is important not to penalize individuals based on unproven claims, we believe that repeated allegations involving the same staff member across multiple facilities are unlikely to be coincidental and suggest a recurring issue,” she says.

To address this, H 5303 was introduced to make the complaint histories of licensed care staff accessible to prospective employers. Light expressed disappointment that this bill did not become law and hopes to work closely with the state’s Department of Health to revise and reintroduce it next year.

“We were pleased to see that the Safe Staffing and Quality Care Act, initially passed in 2021, was amended by the state budget to allow for enforcement,” says Light. While she acknowledges that the revised law may not provide the same level of benefit to nursing home residents as originally intended, she recognizes it as a step forward.

Light also expressed disappointment that the Assisted Living Resident Empowerment Act (H5169, S484) did not pass. “Assisted living facilities remain under-regulated, with fewer resident rights despite high monthly costs and regular rate increases,” she said. The unsuccessful legislative change would have strengthened resident and family councils and improved financial transparency within these facilities.

“It’s unclear why the Department of Health’s legislation (H5426, S789), which would have increased financial transparency in nursing homes and limited equity extraction, failed to advance this year, despite having the governor’s support,” says Light. She notes that this is the second year the bill has been introduced.

“With more out-of-state investor groups acquiring facilities, it is critical to ensure that public Medicaid dollars are spent on resident care, not diverted to investors,” she emphasizes, recognizing that the bill represented a modest but essential step in that direction. “We anticipate that RIDOH will reintroduce the bill next session, and we remain committed to supporting it,” she says.

Carol Anne Costa, executive director of the Senior Agenda Coalition of RI (SACRI), notes, “SACRI worked closely with many agencies and individuals in the aging network to advance our legislative agenda. Collaboration is always beneficial for passing good laws, and more importantly, it strengthens the fabric of the coalition,” she says.

Costa continues, “SACRI fully intends to resume pushing for the passage of unsuccessful legislation in the next session, including expanded accessibility in new housing, the development of more housing for older adults, nursing home patient welfare, and assisted living resident councils. Additionally, SACRI will be closely monitoring the impact of the Trump’s Reconciliation Bill on Rhode Island.”

SACRI Policy Advisor Maureen Maigret adds, “It was absolutely wonderful to see the FY 2026 bill include a provision to increase the income eligibility for the Medicare Savings Programs (MSP), which was SACRI’s top legislative priority for 2025.”

Maigret notes that SACRI has worked tirelessly since 2013 to expand the MSP program. “These efforts finally paid off, thanks to the incredible support from community partners and legislative champions, including House Speaker  K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick), lead sponsors Sen. Louis DiPalma and Rep. Karen Alzate, and many legislative co-sponsors.”

“Once eligibility is increased, as called for in the budget, potentially several thousand current MSP participants will have their co-payments covered, and thousands more Medicare enrollees will no longer have to pay for their Part B premiums (currently $185/month). These savings will help pay for other basic needs, such as food,” says Maigret.

Rhode Island’s 2025 legislative session brought meaningful advances for older adults, including expanded healthcare coverage, stronger consumer protections, and new programs supporting vulnerable populations.  Despite these successes, important bills on long-term care staff accountability, assisted living oversight, and nursing home financial transparency did not pass, leaving critical issues unresolved.

Expect committed aging organizations and advocates to return next year to advance these and other unfinished legislative priorities including promoting development of accessible housing for those with mobility impairments and caregiver tax credits to help ease the financial burden on unpaid family caregivers.

For a reporting of the provisions in the FY 2026 Rhode Island budget, visit https://rinewstoday.com/house-finance-committees-fy-26-budget-boosts-support-for-older-rhode-islanders-herb-weiss/.

House Finance Committee’s FY 26 Budget boosts support for older Rhode Islanders

Published in RiNewsToday on June 16, 2025

Last Wednesday evening, the House Finance Committee voted 11–3 to approve a balanced $14.33 billion budget for fiscal year 2026—approximately $500 million less than the current year’s budget.

Lawmakers were tasked with closing a $250 million deficit without resorting to broad tax hikes or cuts to essential services. Faced with a slowing state economy and looming federal funding reductions, they focused squarely on bridging the budget gap while improving access to health care, increasing reimbursement rates for primary care providers, nursing homes, and hospitals, and addressing the state’s housing crisis.

The budget proposal also boosts funding for housing and homelessness services, supports municipalities through increased revenue sharing, expands Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (a.k.a. RIPTA) funding, invests in education, imposes new EV registration fees, restores highway tolls, and extends childcare subsidies while setting distinct rates for toddlers and infants.

“Despite the very significant challenges we face in this fiscal year, this budget reflects our commitment to our priorities: not only protecting, but strengthening the vital Medicaid programs that provide health and safety to Rhode Island’s seniors, children, individuals with disabilities, and working families; supporting our health care system, particularly the hard-working primary care providers and frontline caregivers; and addressing our housing crisis,” said House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick), in a statement announcing the budget’s passage by the House Finance Committee.

Vote Set

According to House Communications Director Larry Berman, the 435-page budget proposal (2025-H 5076A) now moves to the full House for a vote scheduled for Tuesday, June 17, at 3:30 p.m. If passed, the budget will be sent to the Senate, where action is expected by the end of next week as the legislative session concludes.

If the Senate makes no changes, the bill will go directly to Governor Dan McKee for his signature. However, if revisions are made, it must return to the House for final approval before being sent to the Governor.

Berman and his Senate counterpart, Greg Paré, Director of Senate Communications, do not anticipate any major issues—but note that nothing is ever guaranteed.

Funding Aging Programs and Services

The Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island (SACRI) and its allied aging advocacy groups didn’t get everything they lobbied for —but they made progress, according to SACRI Executive Director Carol Anne Costa, who praised the proposal as a “moral budget.”

“This budget represents a moral compass pointing toward a healthier, more equitable Rhode Island,” said Costa, crediting the group’s advocacy efforts, particularly those of SACRI Policy Advisor Maureen Maigret.

Costa highlighted new language in Article 8 that expands the Medicare Savings Programs, enhancing healthcare access for vulnerable older adults and individuals with disabilities. The House Finance Committee recommended adding $7.1 million—$700,000 of that from general revenues—for this critical expansion.

Unlike a narrower 2024 Assembly proposal that faced implementation barriers, the FY 2026 budget expands eligibility to 125% of the federal poverty level for the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) group and up to 168% for the Qualified Individuals (QI) group.

“This crucial change is estimated to assist thousands of Medicare enrollees, helping them cover burdensome co-payments and deductibles, and potentially saving them at least the $185 monthly Part B premium—which can now go toward food and other essentials. For many, this means the difference between delaying care and receiving timely treatment,” Costa noted.

Strengthening Primary Care Access

“The state’s primary care system is at a crisis point. We’ve heard that our reimbursement rates are low, and that’s the main cause of the health care shortage. We wanted to address that immediately,” said Speaker Shekarchi.

SACRI applauded the Speaker’s efforts to address both the shortage of primary care physicians and the funding shortfall for direct-care staff in nursing homes. “This budget recognizes the critical importance of primary care—especially for older adults and those managing chronic conditions—and addresses provider rate increases through several key initiatives,” said Costa.

The proposal includes over $40 million—$15 million from the state and the rest from federal funds—to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for primary care providers, currently lower than in neighboring states.

Additionally, the budget proposes a new healthcare assessment similar to the state’s immunization program assessments. This broad-based assessment, applied per member per month to all covered lives (including self-insured plans), is expected to raise $30 million annually to support primary care and related services. The estimated state cost is $1.4 million, including $800,000 in general revenues.

The committee also recommended $26.4 million ($8.3 million in general revenue) to raise Medicaid primary care rates to 100% of Medicare rates beginning Oct. 1, 2025. This significant increase aims to incentivize providers to serve more Medicaid patients and improve access to foundational care.

Furthermore, the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner (OHIC) must submit a one-time report by September 2026 to recommend further adjustments to primary care reimbursement rates.

“To address fiscal challenges facing our community health centers, the budget also includes $10.5 million—$4 million of that from general revenues,” Costa added.

Attacking Persistent Staffing Issues in Rhode Island’s Nursing Homes

SACRI, the Rhode Island Health Care Association (RIHCA), SEIU 1199NE, and the state’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman praised the House Finance Committee’s decision to allocate funds aimed at addressing persistent staffing issues in Rhode Island’s 73 nursing homes. The committee approved a $12 million funding package—including $5 million from general revenues—for a base rate staffing adjustment to improve compensation, wages, benefits, and employer costs for direct-care staff. These investments are designed to enhance the quality of resident care and improve workforce stability.

According to John E. Gage, President and CEO of RIHCA, following months of negotiations, RIHCA and SEIU 1199NE reached a compromise to amend the 2021 nursing home staffing law. The revised agreement establishes a more achievable staffing target of 3.58 hours of care per resident per day and adjusts penalties to support facilities in reaching consistent compliance. It also introduces flexibility for high-performing facilities and those with site-specific challenges. “The state budget passed by the House Finance Committee invests $5 million, which unlocks an additional $7 million in federal matching funds,” noted Gage.

“On behalf of RIHCA and its members, we are pleased that the Speaker and House Finance Committee members recognized the dire conditions facing the industry,” Gage added. “We are encouraged that their actions will help stabilize Rhode Island’s nursing facilities and ensure access to high-quality care and services.”

Rhode Island currently ranks second in the nation for “Immediate Jeopardy” violations—the most serious federal nursing home deficiencies. Both SEIU 1199NE and RIHCA believe the budget provisions will help reverse this alarming trend.

SEIU 1199NE’s Patrick Quinn and SACRI’s Costa praised the inclusion of the $12 million investment in the FY 2026 budget, viewing it as a crucial step in helping nursing homes recruit and retain essential staff.

Lori Light, Rhode Island’s State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, also commended House lawmakers for allocating new funding to improve pay and staffing levels—critical measures for enhancing care quality and creating safer, more stable environments for vulnerable residents. “These are issues our office has consistently advocated for, and we’re encouraged to see real movement in the right direction,” she said.

Finally, the budget proposal also includes an increase of $1.86 million for the Office of Healthy Aging, raising its funding from $37,091,920 to $38,948,518. This includes:

  • A $200,000 boost for Senior Services Support (from $1.4 million to $1.6 million)
  • A $50,000 increase for Meals on Wheels (from $630,000 to $680,000)
  • $325,000 to provide elder services, including respite care, through the Diocese of Providence
  • $40,000 to fund ombudsman services provided by the Alliance for Long Term Care

The Missing Millionaire’s Tax

SACRI and progressive advocacy groups had hoped the budget would include HB 5473, introduced by Rep. Karen Alzate (D-Dist. 60, Pawtucket, Central Falls) on Feb. 12, 2025 and S329 introduced on by Sen. Melissa Murray (D-Dist. 24, Woonsocket, North Smithfield, on February 21, 2025. The bill proposed a 3% surtax on taxable income above $625,000—on top of the existing 5.99% rate—targeting the top 1% of Rhode Island filers. The tax was projected to raise roughly $190 million annually and impact only 5,700 of the state’s 500,000 taxpayers.

But the surtax didn’t make it into the final budget.

Asked why, Speaker Shekarchi explained: “There is still a great deal of uncertainty at the federal level. We don’t know what changes are going to be made in the federal tax code. We felt comfortable enough to move forward with the non-owner-occupied property tax on homes valued at over $1 million, and we will revisit the millionaire’s tax when we have more clarity from Washington.”

While Costa wished the surtax had been included to fund additional initiatives, she said, “The bottom line is the budget is balanced and people-focused. In particular, older adult concerns were seriously considered.” As the session winds down, SACRI will continue to monitor remaining legislative proposals that affect Rhode Island’s older residents.

New Detailed Aging Report Will Help Officials, Policymakers

Published in RINewsToday on May 17,2025


By Herb Weiss

In an era of tightening budgets and shrinking federal and state resources for aging programs, legislators, service providers, and advocates now have access to vital data that can help identify and address the unmet needs of older adults in their communities.

Just over a week ago, the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston released the latest Healthy Aging Data Reports (HADR), funded by the Point32Health Foundation. These reports offer a comprehensive, neighborhood-level view of aging in America—insights often unavailable from other sources.

Rhode Island’s updated report, released on May 1, 2025, follows previous editions published in 2016 and 2020. This year’s release also includes updates for Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, and introduces a first-time report for Maine. The HADR team is now expanding its reach to additional regions, including parts of the Deep South (such as Mississippi) and the West (including Wyoming).

“This is what’s magical about our report: we provide data at very local levels,” says Dr. Elizabeth Dugan, principal investigator and associate professor of gerontology at UMass Boston. “That empowers local advocates, helps policymakers make smarter investments, and allows philanthropists to assess the impact of their contributions,” she says.

The Rhode Island report features 41 community profiles—covering each city and town, along with two neighborhoods in Providence. Drawing on data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Medicare Summary Beneficiary Files, the CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, and state health departments, the report highlights disparities that may be hidden in broader state- or county-level statistics.

“What’s powerful about this approach is that we can observe health outcomes that vary dramatically even within a 10-minute walk in the same city,” adds Dugan.

Spotlight on Rhode Island

Several key findings emerged from the 2025 Rhode Island report:

  • Health: Rhode Island ranks highest in New England for rates of high cholesterol, diabetes, hypertension, ischemic heart disease and peripheral hearth disease, stroke, multiple chronic conditions (four or more), and anxiety disorders.
  • Gender Disparities: Women experience anxiety and depression at rates 15% higher than men and are also more likely to suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, and PTSD.
  • Housing: Roughly 39% of older renters spend more than 35% of their income on housing. Additionally, 46% of Rhode Islanders aged 65 and older report annual incomes under $50,000.

“The Rhode Island Healthy Aging Data Reports are invaluable,” says Maureen Maigret, Policy Advisor for the Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island and a member of several state aging commissions. “They provide essential data down to the ZIP code level, which is useful for legislative testimony, policy recommendations, program planning, and grant writing.”

With Rhode Island’s older adult population rising from 16.5% in 2020 to 18% in 2025, this data is more critical than ever. “The report shows how age and racial diversity vary widely across communities,” Maigret says, noting that in some smaller towns, older adults now make up over 30% of the population.

Maigret notes that availability of localized data helps municipalities develop comprehensive plans and adopt age-friendly strategies. Interactive maps within the report allow comparisons with state averages, making it easier to target resources where they are most needed.

The report also reveals demographic shifts, including a rise in the Hispanic older adult population—from 4.9% in 2020 to 5.9% in 2025. “There are significant racial and ethnic disparities in health outcomes,” says Maigret. “Black and Hispanic older adults are more likely to be dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid and to be enrolled in Medicare managed care,” she says.

As lawmakers navigate complex budget negotiations and potential changes to federal programs such as the Administration for Community Living, Medicaid, and the CDC, Maigret stresses the importance of leveraging this data in decision-making.

“Despite the growth in our older population and increasing reports of elder abuse, neglect, and substandard nursing home care, the Office of Healthy Aging’s budget has remained relatively flat,” she warns. “With half of its funding coming from the federal government, proposed cuts could seriously undermine vital programs such as the Long-Term Care Ombudsman,” she adds.

The report also shines a light on mental health, showing high rates of depression and anxiety—especially among older women. Maigret believes this supports increased investment in the 988 mental health crisis line and other behavioral health services.

Another notable trend is the continued shift toward Medicare managed care, now covering more than half of Rhode Islanders aged 65 and older. While rates of arthritis and depression have increased, the report also notes a decline in nursing home stays, inpatient admissions, emergency room visits, and several chronic conditions such as diabetes, COPD, hypertension, and heart disease.

Since the 2020 report, communities have taken meaningful steps to support aging in place. “The Village Common of RI has built age-friendly communities that enable older adults to live independently with the care and resources needed to promote health and well-being,” says Maigret. “There are now 11 local villages across 14 communities, supported by trained volunteers who help members stay connected and independent.”

Data Driving Policy and Innovation

Marie E. Cimini, MSW, Director of the Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging, says the HADR report has broad implications. “As a state agency, we must lead with policies that prioritize inclusion, access, and dignity throughout the aging journey.”

“The report reinforces our commitment to advancing the goals outlined in the RI 2030 Plan, especially around expanding in-home care, supporting workforce development, and strengthening behavioral health services,” Cimini continues. “But it also challenges us to go further—to integrate aging into every aspect of public life and ensure that the voices of older adults inform policy at every level.”

For Meghan Grady, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island (MOWRI), one of the most important takeaways is the persistence of health disparities, particularly in managing chronic conditions. Grady supports legislation introduced by Sen. Victoria Gu (D-Dist. 38) and Rep. Justine Caldwell (D-Dist. 30) to integrate medically tailored meals into healthcare delivery. “This report validates our advocacy,” she says. “Food is a fundamental part of care, especially for aging populations facing health disparities.”

The HADR report is also proving instrumental for nonprofit organizations. “We use the data in community presentations, grant proposals, and to guide our work in promoting health equity,” says Debra Burton, Executive Director of RI Elder Info. “With so much uncertainty around policy and funding for programs that impact older adults and caregivers, this data helps us identify where changes will have the greatest impact,” she says.

James Connell, Executive Director of Age-Friendly RI, agrees. “The Healthy Aging Data Report is extraordinarily helpful for nonprofits across sectors. I used it to support funding for a home-share program that pairs older homeowners with individuals facing housing insecurity—a creative approach to our state’s housing crisis,” he says.

“The ’25 Healthy Aging Report provides vital indicators of older adult well-being that are essential for policymaking, intentional planning, and program development,” says Connell. “The data highlight serious concerns about the mental and emotional health of our community, with one in three Rhode Islanders experiencing anxiety and/or depression.” Connell also emphasizes the report’s finding that women are disproportionately affected, calling it “a clear call to action for improved screening and more accessible treatment options.”

Greg Shell, Chair of the Point32Health Foundation Board of Directors, emphasizes the value of data in shaping policy. “When we use data to guide our work, we can change policies and practices, engage communities, and highlight what truly matters,” he says. “These reports are essential tools in making New England a better place to grow up and grow old.”

The research team behind the Healthy Aging Data Reports includes: Principal Investigator Elizabeth Dugan, PhD, along with Nina Silverstein, PhD; Qian Song, PhD; Taylor Jansen, PhD; Jay Lee, PhD; Yan-Jhu Su, PhD; Han Lin, PhD; Shan Qu, MS; Tiffany Tang, BS; Jeannine Johnson, PhD; Amanda Cox, MS; and Mengshi Liu.

To access the 2025 Rhode Island Healthy Aging Data Report, visit https://healthyagingdatareports.org/ri/rhode-island-healthy-aging-data-report.