Addresses upcoming federal reforms, implementation at the state level and other issues of concern for seniors at forum in North Smithfield
PROVIDENCE— Lt. Gov. Elizabeth H. Roberts, Chair of the Long Term Care Coordinating Council (LTCCC) today addressed a group of seniors on health care reform and other issues of concern for the elderly at a meeting hosted by North Smithfield Town Administrator Paulette Hamilton.
Roberts addressed the audience of seniors and answered questions on upcoming federal health care reforms. She also related her experience last week, when she attended President Obama’s speech to the joint session of Congress as a guest of Congressman Langevin. “It was interesting to see how many pieces of the proposed federal reforms are already in place, or in process here in Rhode Island,” Lt. Gov. Roberts said. “We are uniquely poised to act quickly and make those reforms a reality for Rhode Islanders and I stand ready to be a partner in that process.”
Roberts also talked to the seniors about challenges that lie ahead, from implementation of the Medicaid Global Waiver, to controlling the rapidly escalating costs of health care. “Until we address the root causes of rising health care costs across the entire industry, from insurers and providers to consumers, truly effective reform will elude us,” Lt. Gov. Roberts said. “In the upcoming weeks I will get the necessary parties to the table and engage the difficult work of changing the trend that is making health care unaffordable for more and more Rhode Islanders.”