PROVIDENCE-- Lt. Governor Elizabeth H. Roberts today hailed the passage of federal health care reform legislation in Washington last night.
“The moment we have been waiting for has finally come, “ said Lt. Gov. Roberts. ‘We know that 1 in 5 Rhode Islanders will be without health insurance at some point during the year. The passage of this health reform bill is an important first step toward ensuring that every Rhode Islander will have access to high quality, affordable health care.”
“I applaud the House of Representatives for voting to approve the health reform bill, and I wish to thank Congressman Kennedy and Congressman Langevin for their hard work and support in passing this legislation,” Roberts continued. “I look forward to working hand-in-hand with our federal delegation and the General Assembly as we make health care reform a reality in Rhode Island.”
A report commissioned by Lt. Gov. Roberts and The Rhode Island Foundation released last week also found that 140,000 Rhode Islanders, or 16% of the population under 65 years of age are currently without health insurance, and providing health care for the uninsured costs at least $605 million annually.