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Rhode Island may be the smallest state, but it has numerous government bodies and organizations that work toward the goal of promoting the health and wellbeing of its population. As medical student advocates, it’s important for us to understand the context of the state where we will be training, learning, and growing into future physicians. This blog post is meant to provide short summaries of Rhode Island’s major health-related bodies. A subsequent post will explore concrete ways in which we can intersect and engage with these organizations, but for now, which state governmental bodies regulate and administer healthcare in Rhode Island? Department of Health Mission/Focus: “The Rhode Island Department of Health's mission is to prevent disease and protect and promote the health and safety of the people of Rhode Island.” It wishes to “address the social and environmental determinants of health in Rhode Island... eliminate the disparities of health in Rhode Island and promote health equity... [and] ensure access to quality health services for Rhode Islanders.” Departments: Click here to learn more about the organization’s sub-departments/offices. Contact: 3 Capitol Hill, Providence, RI 02908 (401) 222-5960 Department of Human Services Mission/Focus: “The Department of Human Services (DHS) administers human service programs including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Rhode Island Works Cash Assistance Program, Child Care, General Public Assistance, State Supplemental Payments, and Child Support. DHS is also responsible for determining eligibility for the state's health-benefits programs.” Ongoing initiatives: Click here to learn more Contact: Louis Pasteur Building, 57 Howard Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920 (401) 462-5300 Executive Office of Health and Human Services Mission/Focus: “The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) was created on December 1, 2005 to facilitate cooperation and coordination among the state departments that administer Rhode Island's health and social service programs. EOHHS is responsible for the management of Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and other publicly-funded health-care programs in Rhode Island.” Departments: See here for a list of the departments under the EOHHS umbrella Ongoing Initiatives: Click here for a list of ongoing initiatives by the EOHHS Contact: 74 West Road, Cranston, RI 02920 (401) 462-5274 The Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner (OHIC) Mission/Focus: “The Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner is responsible for guarding the solvency of health insurers, protecting the interests of consumers, encouraging policies and developments that improve the quality and efficiency of health care service delivery and outcomes, and viewing the health care system as a comprehensive entity and encouraging and directing insurers toward policies that advance the welfare of the public through overall efficiency, improved healthcare quality, and appropriate access.” Ongoing initiatives: Click here to learn more Contact: 1511 Pontiac Ave, Building #69 First Floor, Cranston, RI 02920 (401) 462-9517 HealthSource RI Mission/Focus: HealthSource RI manages the health insurance “exchange” or marketplace that provides Rhode Islanders with (1) information about health insurance coverage and (2) the online infrastructure to register for insurance. Resources: https://healthyrhode.ri.gov/HIXWebI3/healthcare-resources Contact: https://healthyrhode.ri.gov/HIXWebI3/healthcare-getAssistance Department of Children, Youths, and Families (DCYF) Mission/Focus: DCYF believes that “the family, community and government share responsibility for the safety, protection and well-being of children through a family and child-centered wraparound model of care. When the family is unable to care for a child/youth, it is our responsibility, in as timely a manner as possible, to ensure the child/youth is provided permanency in his/her life in a safe, stable and nurturing home.” Departments: Adoption Child Welfare Child Care Foster Care Contact: 101 Friendship Street, Providence, RI 02903-3716 (401) 528-3502 Office of the Child Advocate Mission/Focus: “The Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) is an independent and autonomous Rhode Island state agency responsible for protecting the legal rights and interests of children in state care. These rights include, but are not limited to, a child’s right to appropriate placement, healthcare and education, and to be treated with dignity and respect.” Examples of Relevant Laws the OCA Enforces: See here and here Contact: 57 Howard Ave, 4th floor, Cranston, RI 02920 (401) 462-4300 Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals (BHDDH) Mission/Focus: BHDDH administers a system of care that provides services for more than 50,000 Rhode Islanders with mental health and substance abuse issues, developmental disabilities, and chronic long-term medical and psychiatric conditions. As we continue to provide services for our most vulnerable populations, we also continue to navigate the changing landscape of healthcare reform.” Departments: Substance Abuse Mental Health Developmental Disability Contact: Barry Hall, 14 Harrington Road Cranston, RI 02920 (401) 462-2339 RI Department of Corrections Health Care Services Unit Mission/Focus: “The Health Care Services Unit, under the direction of the Medical Program Director, incorporates medical and mental health, dental and health education. This unit provides medical and clinical services to the incarcerated offender population, both sentenced and awaiting trial in all facilities of the Rhode Island Department of Corrections (RIDOC).” Departments: Administration Institutions and Operations Rehabilitative Services Contact: 39 Howard Ave, Cranston, RI 02920 Phone: (401) 462-2678 RI Commission for Human Rights Mission/Focus: Established by The Rhode Island General Assembly, the Commission enforces the Rhode Island antidiscrimination laws in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodations, credit and delivery of services. Examples of Relevant Laws the Commission Enforces: Civil Rights of People with Disabilities Act; the law regarding HIV/AIDS discrimination; Expanded Employment Protections for Conditions Related to Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Related Medical Conditions Contact: 180 Westminster Street, 3rd Floor, Providence, RI 02903 (401) 222-2661 Office of the Governor Mission/Focus: Message from Gov Raimondo: “We must create conditions that will jumpstart our struggling economy, create jobs, and expand opportunity for all Rhode Islanders.” Ongoing Health-Related Initiatives: Working Group to Reinvent Medicaid; Overdose Prevention and Intervention Task Force; Working Group for Healthcare Innovation Contact: 82 Smith Street, Providence, RI 02903 Phone: (401) 222-2080 Fax: (401) 222-8096 Office of the Lt. Governor Mission/Focus: “The Lieutenant Governor is the executive officer of a state who is next in rank to a governor and who takes the governor's place in case of disability or death. His current interest areas and initiatives of Lt Gov Dan McKee include emergency management preparation, tackling issues facing small Rhode Island businesses, and coordination of long-term care for elderly populations in RI.” News: Click here for information regarding the Office of the Lt. Governor Contact: 82 Smith Street, Room 116, Providence, RI 02903 (401) 222-2371 Rhode Island Housing Mission/Focus: “Rhode Island Housing uses all of its resources to provide low-interest loans, grants, education and assistance to help Rhode Islanders find, rent, buy, build and keep a good home. Created by the General Assembly in 1973, Rhode Island Housing is a privately funded public purpose corporation.” Contact: 44 Washington Street, Providence, RI 02903 (401) 457-1234 Post Authors: Margie Thorsen and Noah Lubin, medical students at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University and co-Coordinators for PLME Outreach and Engagement for Citizen Physicians
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