Aug
24
Written by:
Elizabeth Roberts
8/24/2010 1:05 PM
Last Thursday I met with approximately 75 members of the Healthy RI: National Health Reform Implementation Task Force at the Rhode Island Foundation. As the summer-long discussions will be wrapping up in the coming weeks for each of the seven task force work groups, I wanted to thank everyone for their participation and talk about next steps in our process. I especially wanted to acknowledge the conveners of the work groups as it was no small feat they kept so many busy people engaged and on-task in frequent meetings throughout this summer!
This has
been an inspiring process for most of us involved. Citizen
stakeholders have come together--even taking time away from vacations
and other summer activities--and worked together to gain an
understanding of what national health reform will mean for Rhode
Island. Thanks to the work of these committed volunteers, Rhode Island
will be in a good position to apply for federal funds to implement
essential changes to our health care system. Together we have developed
a road map for some of the most important changes that will be needed to
ensure access to high quality, affordable health care for all Rhode
Islanders. There
has been lots of lively debate and disagreement about what direction
Rhode Island should take but everyone has worked hard to put thoughtful
recommendations on the table.
This
group will have a lot more to do in the coming months--keeping up the
momentum that has been created and establishing partnerships to meet
important deadlines for funding opportunities and policy decisions. The
Task Force report also will be an important starting point for the
next administration as the work goes forward.
I'll announce the release date of the report here in my blog, so check back weekly to stay in the loop.
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