Tag Archives for Rhode Island General Assembly

New Laws Benefiting Older Rhode Islanders from this Legislative Session

Published in RINewsToday on July 20, 2026

A new group of bills, signed by Gov. Dan McKee, delivers notable benefits for older Rhode Islanders. The new laws focus on three main goals: boosting financial security, expanding healthcare access, and cracking down on fraud and scams targeting seniors.

Rhode Island General Assembly leadership convened this year’s legislative session on Jan. 6 that ran until June 11, with lawmakers working right up until 11:59 a.m. on their final day. Over those five months, the Senate logged 43 days on the floor, while the House logged 45.

In a joint statement, Senate President Valarie J. Lawson (D-Dist.14, East Providence) and House Speaker Christopher R. Blazejewski (D-Dist. 2, Providence) pointed out one of the session’s most significant legislative accomplishments – eliminating the state income tax on Social Security benefits for all low- and moderate-income Rhode Islanders who receive them, regardless of their age.

“We also strengthened protections against scams and financial exploitation, advanced consumer protections, and passed legislation to improve access to affordable, high-quality health care,” they said, stressing that more work remains.

“As we continue to prepare for the impacts of federal funding cuts to vital state programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), we must remain vigilant in protecting the services that many older Rhode Islanders depend on,” they added. “We remain committed to working with our partners to address the many challenges facing older Rhode Islanders and to advancing policies that protect their financial security, support healthy aging, and enhance the quality of life for every senior in our state.”

A Strong Year for Aging Issues

More than 2,450 bills were introduced during the 2026 legislative session – 1,157 in the Senate and 1,297 in the House. Excluding resolutions, which were largely congratulatory in nature or recognized prominent Rhode Island residents, only 249 measures ultimately cleared both chambers to reach the Governor’s desk for signature.

Among the most important actions affecting Rhode Islanders was the adoption of the state’s $15.2 billion Fiscal Year 2027 budget. The new spending plan includes a number of provisions benefiting older adults, caregivers, and aging-service providers. It eliminates age thresholds to exempt Social Security income from state taxes, increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for dementia care and other providers, and boosts funding for Meals on Wheels and senior centers.

But the enacted budget was only part of this year’s legislative story. Lawmakers also approved a number of bills that Gov. Dan McKee signed into law, addressing health care, consumer protection, retirement security, and services that help older Rhode Islanders remain independent in their homes and communities.

Among the new laws signed by Gov. McKee are the following:

The General Assembly approved legislation (S 3282, H 8595) sponsored by Senate President Lawson and Rep. Michelle McGaw (D-Dist. 71, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Little Compton) to ensure that Medicare patients over 65 years old are eligible for all Medicare supplemental coverage programs, regardless of preexisting conditions. Under the new law, every Medicare recipient over 65 will have at least one month each calendar year to enroll in any Medigap plan without undergoing medical underwriting. That means older adults cannot be denied coverage – or charged higher premiums because of preexisting conditions if they switch plans during that enrollment period.

Rep. Jennifer Boylan (D-Dist. 66, Barrington, East Providence) and Sen. Lori Urso (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket) sponsored successful legislation (H 7029A, S 2116A) to help homebound patients access routine foot care at home. The new law allows routine foot care in patients’ homes, provided the provider has received proper training and demonstrates clinical competence. The new measure addresses unmet needs for basic, routine, and preventive foot care at home. Many older adults and people with disabilities need medical assistance for routine foot care, including noninvasive maintenance of toenails, common corns, and calluses.

Legislation (S 2026, H 8171A) from Sen. Victoria Gu (D-Dist. 38, Westerly, Charlestown, South Kingstown) and Rep. Justine Caldwell (D-Dist. 30, East Greenwich, West Greenwich), now law, creates a Medicaid pilot program that leverages medically tailored meals and other nutritional supports to improve the health of those with chronic, diet-related conditions. This coverage could take the form of produce prescriptions, vouchers, or medically tailored meals, prescribed by medical professionals for persons with diet-related diseases or food insecurity. It could also include clinical nutrition education.

Legislation (H 8060A, S 3338) introduced by Rep. Joseph J. Solomon, Jr. (D-Dist. 22, Warwick) and Sen. Matthew L. LaMountain (D-Dist. 31, Warwick, Cranston), now enacted, strengthens the state’s laws to fight identity fraud and emerging forms of digital deception. The act defines “digital forgery” as participating in the generation, creation, or distribution of a computer-generated visual or audio representation intended to deceive people.

Gov. McKee signed legislation (H 7613A, S 2810A) sponsored by Rep. Alex D. Marszalkowski (D-Dist. 52, Cumberland) and Sen. Lammis Vargas (D-Dist. 28, Cranston, Providence) that would protect tax filers from fraudulent or illegal tax preparation services. This new law imposes penalties on tax preparers who intentionally mislead their clients or act as ghost preparers for tax returns. It would also require the tax administrator to publish a list of tax preparers whose privileges to prepare returns have been revoked or suspended.

The Act (H 7551aa, S 2715A) introduced by House Speaker Pro Tempore Brian Patrick Kennedy (D-Dist. 38, Hopkinton, Westerly) and Senate President Lawson would criminalize deed theft. Additionally, it would allow municipalities to refuse to record “suspicious documents” submitted by untrusted submitters. Deed theft usually involves forged documents, such as a quit-claim deed, to record a phony transfer of property ownership. Scammers may then attempt to sell the stolen vacant land or home, or even rent it, to turn a profit, forcing the real owners to head to court to reclaim their property.

The enacted measure (H 7837, S 2878) sponsored by Rep. Caldwell and Senate President Pro Tempore Hanna M. Gallo (D-Dist. 27, Cranston, West Warwick) would improve the oral health of homebound older Rhode Islanders by expanding reimbursement eligibility for public health dental hygienists. Currently, dental hygienists’ services are reimbursable only through Medicaid and insurance plans purchased through HealthSource RI. The new law allows public health dental hygienists to be paid directly by Medicare and other insurers for services provided in the home to older adults who lack transportation or mobility to visit a dentist.

This enacted legislation (H 7475, S 3086), sponsored by Rep. Evan P. Shanley (D-Dist. 24, Warwick, East Greenwich) and Sen. Meghan E. Kallman (D-Dist. 15, Pawtucket, Providence), enacts technical amendments to the Rhode Island Secure Choice Retirement Savings Program Act. These structural modifications, which improve daily operations enable the retirement board to enhance the program’s efficiency and reach and strengthen interstate partnerships. Secure Choice, which offers employees of small businesses access to a portable, Roth-IRA-type retirement accounts through automatic payroll deduction, was enacted last year.

We’ll Be Back

According to Carol Costa, Executive Director of the Senior Agenda Coalition of RI (SACRI), this year’s General Assembly approved several important measures supporting aging in place, including bills on foot care and dental hygienists. She also believes the Food as Medicine legislation will have a tremendous impact on homebound older Rhode Islanders.

Costa noted that consumer protection bills which were signed into law are also laudable, including the enacted bill (H 8106, S 2644), that was introduced by Rep. Stephen M. Casey (D-Dist. 50, Woonsocket) and Sens. Melissa Murray (D-Dist. 24, Woonsocket, North Smithfield) and Brian J. Thompson (D-Dist. 20, Woonsocket, Cumberland) restricting deed covenants on grocery stores addressing anti-competitive deed restrictions. The bills were originally created and pushed forward at the request of Rhode Island Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos as part of her “Fair Price Grocery Agenda”.

SACRI applauds the enactment of legislation (H 7020, S 3180) sponsored by Rep. Jon D. Brien (I-Dist. 49, Woonsocket, North Smithfield) and Sen. Thompson that establishes the framework for veterinary telemedicine in Rhode Island. “It is a good law to help homebound older Rhode Islanders to take better care of their pets,” Costa says. The new law requires Rhode Island-licensed veterinarians to obtain client consent before establishing an electronic relationship and to keep records for one year. Providers must clearly display services and standard fees on their websites.

Workforce development also got a boost this year with passage of the Healthcare Worker Platform Act (H 7030B, S 2107A), says Costa. Sponsored by Rep. Shanley and Sen. Jacob E. Bissaillon (D-Dist. 1, Providence), the new law creates a digital platform that connects qualified healthcare workers with open shifts at healthcare facilities. The platform allows licensed healthcare professionals to identify and accept available shifts, helping healthcare providers fill staffing gaps more quickly and efficiently. “Creating a workforce platform is a positive step that enables quicker access to long-term care staffing,” says Costa.

“SACRI will be supporting bills that did not get over the finish line this session by pushing them on day one,” says Costa, noting that in the next session, the coalition will push for the passage of the removal of the MSP Asset test, the creation of the Office of the Elder Advocate, and making the Rep. Lauren H. Carson’s (D-Dist. 75, Newport) House Study Commission on Aging or House Commission Studying Services and Programs for Older Adults a permanent commission.

“SACRI is reflecting on a year of dedicated advocacy while turning its focus to the work ahead,” explains Costa. “While some major legislative priorities did not make it across the finish line this year, we remain committed to dismantling barriers for Rhode Island’s older adults and individuals with disabilities,” she says.

“While SACRI didn’t secure 100% of all we fought for this past session, our resolve is stronger than ever to push for passage in the General Assembly,” says Costa, stressing that the legislation is vital to the economic security and protection of our older adults. “SACRI will be there to advocate forcefully until they become law,” she said.

For more information about the states’ Fiscal Year 2027 budget, see my article in RI News Today. Go to https://rinewstoday.com/ri-budget-win-for-older-adults-by-herb-weiss.

Read about AARP Rhode Island’s advocacy on bills that were signed into law this legislative session. Go to

https://www.aarp.org/states/rhode-island/rhode-island-2026-legislative-win

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National Report: Brain Health Matters to Most, But Understanding Falls Short

Published in RINewsToday on April 27, 2026

As with the findings detailed in previous reports, the numbers in the Alzheimer’s Association’s recently released 2026 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report are jarring.

In 2026, about 7.4 million Americans aged 65 and older, or roughly 1 in 9, are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Nearly three-quarters are 75 or older, and almost two-thirds are women.

As these numbers continue to rise, the challenges ahead grow even more daunting.  We see the graying of the U.S. population, which has resulted in the number of people living with Alzheimer’s rising sharply, says the report. By 2030, all baby boomers, those born between 1946 and 1964, will be in higher-risk age groups for developing devastating cognitive disorders.  By 2060, Americans with Alzheimer’s could reach 13.8 million.

Over the years, the Facts and Figures reports have become the nation’s primary source of statistics and analysis on Alzheimer’s and other dementias.  The report has been published every year since 2007, and this year’s edition also appears in the April 2026 issue of Alzheimer’s & Dementia®, the Association’s journal.

The 142-page report, released last week, provides updated national and state-level data. Its findings suggest that Alzheimer’s has become more common and challenging for caregivers. The report remains a guiding roadmap for state and federal officials and researchers to combat this serious cognitive disorder.  It also includes a special survey about how Americans aged 40 and older think about and manage brain health.

“The latest data show Alzheimer’s is still a growing challenge for families in Rhode Island,” said Laura Hoffman, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association’s Connecticut and Rhode Island chapters, in a statement announcing the report’s release on April 21, 2026. “That’s why it’s critical to keep progressing research and developing treatments that can improve outcomes and support everyone facing the disease,” she says.

Hoffman stressed that the nationwide crisis demands urgent action now, given the mounting financial burden on caregivers. This year, professional care for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias is expected to cost $409 billion. By 2050, Hoffman warns, this figure could reach nearly $1 trillion.

Caregiving is still mostly handled by family and friends, the report notes. Nearly 13 million relatives and friends provided more than 19 billion hours of unpaid care last year. The value of their efforts is estimated to be a whopping $446 billion.

The report noted that Alzheimer’s is also a growing cause of death.  Since 2000, deaths from the progressive g cognitive disorder have surged by 134%. In the same period, deaths from heart disease have risen by only 3.8%. Today, Alzheimer’s takes more lives than breast and prostate cancers combined.

Rhode Island: By the Numbers

According to the report’s Rhode Island-specific data, about 22,000 Rhode Islanders aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease.  That’s 11.4% of this population group. Another 37,000 people serve as caregivers — many are unpaid family members or friends. So roughly 1 in every 30 Rhode Islanders is caring for someone with the cognitive condition. Together, they provide 53 million hours of unpaid care, valued at $1.5 billion.

In 2025, the State’s Medicaid costs of caring for persons with Alzheimer’s and other Dementias totaled around $ 640 million. Per-capita Medicare spending for these individuals was $33,705, according to the report.

Recently, Rhode Island’s care network relied on just 32 geriatricians and about 8,070 home health and personal care aides to support persons with Alzheimer’s and dementia. To keep up with rising demand for dementia care, Rhode Island’s workforce must expand. The state requires a 23.9% increase in home health aide roles by 2032 and an 18.8% increase in specialist geriatricians by 2050, according to the report.

When comparing national and Ocean State-specific data, Hoffman, who heads the Alzheimer’s Association’s Connecticut and Rhode Island chapters, notes that the nation’s smallest state has the same rising trend in Alzheimer’s prevalence, increasing caregiver burden, and growing strain on health systems.  “As a smaller, aging state, these trends will be felt even more. The impact on families, providers, and community resources is both visible and immediate,” she says.

Hoffman calls for more dementia care professionals across the long-term care continuum. “There is also a need for more respite care, adult day programs, and long-term options that are equipped to treat complex Alzheimer’s or dementia cases,” suggests Hoffman, to fill gaps in providing services, supports, or workforce capacity to care for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients.

With the General Assembly now in session, Hoffman is urging lawmakers to pass HB 7542 or SB 2874, which establishes a Dementia Services Coordinator position within the Department of Health. “This state agency position will support the work of the Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Disease Research and Treatment, oversee implementation of the state Alzheimer’s plan, and serve as a liaison between state agencies, the governor, the legislature, and external stakeholders,” she says.

Understanding and Sustaining Cognitive Health

The Alzheimer’s Association’s 2026 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report comes with a special report, Brain Health in America: Comprehending and Supporting Lifelong Cognitive Health. It is based on a survey of more than 3,800 U.S. adults aged 40 and older.

The special report’s findings show a clear disconnect: most Americans see brain health as a top priority, equal to or even more important than physical health, yet many are unsure how to protect it.

“Americans care deeply about their brain health and recognize that midlife is a critical time to take action,” said Heather M. Snyder, Ph.D., the Association’s senior vice president of Medical and Scientific Relations. “But many don’t know where to start and are looking for clear, practical guidance,” she says.

Almost all respondents said keeping their brains healthy is important, but only 9% feel well informed about it. Many know that sleep, diet, and exercise matter, but fewer people clearly understand how these habits might lower the risk of dementia.

Many respondents expressed concern about their potential declining cognitive health. More than two-thirds of those surveyed admit they worry about their brain health and the chance of developing Alzheimer’s or another dementia. Still, fewer than half of these individuals strongly link healthy lifestyle habits with lowering that risk.

The special report’s findings also reveal that interest in prevention programs is high, but barriers to participation remain. About 73% would consider joining brain health programs, such as cognitive exercises, health monitoring, nutrition advice, or physical activity. However, the program’s cost, location, motivation, and insurance coverage are major obstacles to participation.

Respondents also said they want flexible options. About 40% prefer self-guided programs at home, while 38% like blended formats that mix independent and in-person participation. Only 8% prefer fully in-person programs.

Many say midlife, ages 35 to 64, is a key time for them to act. Nearly two in five respondents think people should start focusing on brain health during these years. Almost half believe formal programs should begin then. About one-third also said brain health should be a lifelong pursuit.

Even with a strong interest, many people say they do not talk often with health care providers about brain health. Two-thirds of respondents said they would like to discuss brain health with their physician.  Most would welcome these talks during regular office visits. Most would welcome these conversations during routine office visits. Still, only a small percentage say they have actually had them.

“These outcomes show a real opportunity to better integrate brain health into routine care,” Snyder said. People are motivated to protect their brain health, but they need clear, effective guidance, she says.

Snyder sees a wider, clear message in the report: Brain health is a lifelong priority, not just a concern in older age, she says. “By connecting efforts across individuals, communities, workplaces, and health care systems, we could support cognitive health and help reduce dementia risk,” she adds.

A Final Note…

With this year’s Alzheimer’s Facts and Figures report released, Hoffman also sees a clear takeaway for Rhode Islanders: “Brain health matters at every stage of life. Take steps now—stay active, eat well, get enough sleep, remain socially engaged, and talk to your healthcare provider about memory concerns,”  she adds.

The Alzheimer’s Association is expanding efforts with community and research partners to deliver evidence-based information and programs. These projects are informed in part by the landmark U.S. POINTER study, which continues to explore how lifestyle interventions may help protect cognitive function.

If you have any questions about Alzheimer’s or any other form of dementia, contact the Alzheimer’s Association 24-7 Helpline at 1/ 800-272-3900.

For a copy of the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2026 Facts and Figures Report, go to Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures

For a copy of this year’s Brain Health in America special report, go to Brain Health in America: Understanding and Supporting Lifelong Cognitive Health.

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For details about the U.S. POINTER study, to https://www.alz.org/us-pointer/study-results

Senior Agenda Coalition of RI Unveils 2026 Legislative Agenda at Annual Briefing

Published in RINewsToday on March 16, 2026

At its 10th annual Legislative Leader’s Forum, the Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island (SACRI) unveiled its 2026 legislative agenda. More than 160 participants, including older adults, advocates, and state and federal officials, gathered at Gaige Hall at Rhode Island College for the event.

The event, “Voices of Advocacy — Anchors of Hope,” addressed the challenges facing Rhode Island’s growing older population and the policy changes needed to improve affordability, health care access, housing, and community supports.

The briefing opened with remarks by Rhode Island College President Jack R. Warner, SACRI Board Chair, Kathleen McKeon, and Executive Director Carol Anne Costa, who served as host. 

Costa began with a thank you to Rep. Joseph Solomon and Senator Mark McKeeney (who were present) for introducing the bill creating the Office of the Elder Advocate.  SACRI Policy Advisor Maureen Maigret outlined an Affordable Policy Agenda. Other speakers included representatives from the Rhode Island Coalition for Elder Justice, Economic Progress Institute, and Rhode Island Organizing Project.

A number of top elected officials followed, including U.S. Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, Congressman Seth Magaziner, Gov. Dan McKee, State Treasurer James Diossa, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, and Senate Majority Leader Frank Ciccone, who discussed previous and current legislative efforts affecting older Rhode Islanders.

Rhode Island’s Aging Demographics

“One in five Rhode Islanders is 65 or older,” Maigret said, adding the state is also among the top five for residents 85 and older.

The share of residents 65 and older rose from 16% in 2016 to 19% today. Maigret reminded officials that older residents are a powerful voting bloc. In 2024, over one-third of ballots were cast by older voters.

Nearly 73% of households led by those 65 and older own their homes, while 28% rent. Housing costs burden 31% of older homeowners and 52% of renters, who spend over 30% of their income on housing.

Around 4% of older Rhode Islanders live in nursing facilities, and about 485 aged 55+ are unhoused including 164 persons aged 65+.

Older adults drive Rhode Island’s economy: 40% of the workforce is 55+, about 40,000 provide unpaid family care, and approximately 45,000 volunteer formally in their communities.

Residents aged 50 and older contribute $27 billion annually to Rhode Island’s GDP. Social Security brings $3.9 billion into the state each year, with every $1 in benefits generating about $2 in economic output.

Despite these contributions, financial insecurity persists. Older adult poverty has increased and now exceeds 11%, and nearly a quarter of older households live on less than $25,000 a year.

A healthy single older homeowner without a mortgage needs nearly $29,000 annually to cover basic expenses, exceeding what about a quarter of older households have.

SACRI’s Legislative Priorities

Maigret said affordability is the central challenge facing older residents especially those with modest incomes, and SACRI has organized its agenda around four “building blocks”: health care, economic security, housing, and community supports.

Eliminating the $9,950 asset limit for the Medicare Savings Program is a top priority. SACRI recommends removing this limit entirely to allow more low-income residents to qualify for help with Medicare costs.

 “In 2025 the legislature raised the income eligibility to about $27,000, this year we want to take the next step,” Maigret said. “And the next step is to eliminate the very restrictive asset test.”

Maigret also urged lawmakers to fully fund provider rate increases as recommended by the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner, specifying that these funds are needed to close workforce shortages in home care.

These increases address shortages of home care workers. The coalition also urges nursing home cost-of-living adjustments to the federal 3.1% recommendation, ensuring increases reach frontline workers.

Additional SACRI recommendations include increasing funding for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program to expand oversight and supporting an all-payer Primary Care Investment Target to increase access to primary care.

To address Rhode Island’s housing shortage, SACRI recommends a housing bond of at least $120 million, with a requirement that at least 30% be allocated to populations including older adults, persons with disabilities and the homeless. SACRI further urges that new residential developments be required to include more accessible units than the current 8% rate.

Maigret called for stronger support for caregivers and community services. Proposed policies include a caregiver tax credit up to $1,000, increasing the Medicaid home care asset limit, funding homemaker services, awarding a state grant to the Village Common of Rhode Island to aid aging in place, and establishing an Office of the Elder Advocate.

Other Policy Concerns

Nina Harrison, policy director at the Economic Progress Institute, argued that Rhode Island’s tax system places a heavier burden on lower-income residents.

“The lowest-income earners in the state pay a higher portion of their wages in taxes than the top income earners,” Harrison said. She supports creating a new tax bracket for annual income above $640,000, which she said could generate about $203 million annually for public services.

Ray Gagné of the Rhode Island Organizing Project called for restoring recent service cuts at the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority and creating a stable, long-term funding source for the system.

Lawmakers Respond

House Speaker Shekarchi shared a personal story about caring, along with his siblings, for their 100-year-old father with Alzheimer’s disease, stressing the importance of allowing older adults to age in place.

“Everything is a compromise. Everything is a negotiation,” Shekarchi said of the legislative process. He highlighted recent state investments, including $18 million to keep Roger Williams and Fatima hospitals operating, $12 million added last year to nursing home funding to address workforce shortages, and more than $40 million to increase reimbursement rates for primary care physicians.

Shekarchi also pointed to legislation allowing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) as a step toward addressing the state’s housing shortage.

“That’s a big benefit,” he said.

Senate Majority Leader Ciccone said lawmakers are considering 17 bills to make health care more affordable and accessible. “Throughout this session, we will evaluate the financial burdens facing Rhode Islanders and the programs they rely on,” Ciccone said.

Gov. McKee argued that his “affordability for all” plan would benefit all Rhode Islanders, with key provisions for seniors, including the complete elimination of the state tax on Social Security and policies to control rising utility costs.

The Governor outlined several proposals in his budget, including increasing funding for senior centers by $200,000 for a total of $1.8 million and phasing out the state tax on Social Security income over three years, beginning with lower-income residents.

His budget also includes $9.5 million to assist nearly 10,000 residents whose HealthSource RI insurance premiums have increased sharply.

State Treasurer Diossa gave an overview of agency programs spanning the age spectrum, from baby bonds to retirement planning. He noted that his Secure Choice retirement program addresses the needs of the 40% of private-sector workers who lack access to retirement benefits.

At the federal level, Sens. Reed and Whitehouse warned that changes to federal policies could threaten Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner also called for federal action to lower costs, including expanding Medicare drug price negotiations and creating tax incentives to increase the housing supply. He also announced plans to pursue bipartisan legislation to establish a permanent House Select Committee on Aging. “Seniors deserve a dedicated forum in Congress focused on the challenges they face,” Magaziner said.

SACRI’s Costa ended the Forum with a call to collective action, urging attendees to leverage their influence for unified advocacy on behalf of older adults and people with disabilities in Rhode Island.

Let’s make our voices heard and ensure Rhode Island’s leaders are held accountable for advancing these critical priorities. Together, we can drive lasting change and truly roar for progress.

Two Attendees’ Perspectives

Mary Lou Moran, director of Pawtucket’s Division of Senior Services/Leon Mathieu Senior Center, said the briefing successfully brought together leaders from across government to focus on the needs of older residents.

“The continued work to eliminate the Medicare Savings Program asset limit, create an Office of the Elder Advocate, and expand funding for programs such as the Long-Term Care Ombudsman and Medicaid home care was all highlighted,” Moran said.

Moran emphasized legislative and federal efforts to support older adults and expressed optimism that the initiatives discussed will drive progress in the next session.

“The Governor’s FY 2027 State budget is fully committed, has little new revenue & substantial federal cuts in the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, Housing Voucher & food subsidies will leave an unresolved budget hole,” says North Kingston Resident David R Kaloupek. Kaloupek, 87, asks: “How will the Rhode Island General Assembly narrow its spending targets for the state’s most vulnerable, frail older adults, nursing home residents, home care beneficiaries, and unhoused older Rhode Islanders?  When the dust settles after the upcoming legislative sessions conclude, we’ll see who will be helped and who will be abandoned.”

A final note…  The coming together of aging advocates and Gov. McKee, the House Speaker, and Senate Majority Leader might just create the political will to support key parts of SACRI’s legislative agenda, such as eliminating the Medicare Savings Plan asset limit, the state tax on Social Security, or creating an Office of Elder Advocate, which could significantly boost the chances of those proposals becoming law. The agreement between aging advocates and state lawmakers on several fronts suggested a strong potential for legislative progress on senior issues in the upcoming session.

SACRI’s 2026 Legislative Leaders’ Forum was sponsored by: Age-Friendly Rhode Island, Delta Dental, United Healthcare, Neighborhood Health Plan, SEIU Local 580 and Capitol TV.

https://capitoltvri.cablecast.tv/show/11856