Rhode Island lawmakers have taken a major step forward for people with disabilities and the organizations that support them.

The state’s proposed budget includes full funding of a 100% Medicaid rate increase for disability services. The proposal was approved by the House Finance Committee on Friday and now moves to the Senate Finance Committee, followed by full votes in both chambers before heading to the Governor’s desk.

What This Means

Community-based disability service providers have faced years of workforce shortages, rising costs and stagnant reimbursement rates. The gap between what it costs to deliver quality care and what Medicaid pays had forced many organizations to make impossible choices: cutting services, turning away individuals or losing skilled staff to higher-paying employers.

Increased funding over the last several years has closed that gap.

This is an investment in people with disabilities. It’s an investment in the state we want to be.

A Win Built by Advocates

This didn’t happen in a vacuum. Advocates, families, providers and self-advocates across Rhode Island spent months making the case at the State House, in meeting rooms and in the inboxes of their lawmakers.

CPNRI members showed up. They testified. They emailed. They came to Advocacy Day. They told the stories that needed to be told.

This proposed funding is the direct result of that sustained, collective effort.

From the State House

“We put significant investment in raising Medicaid rates. We did the full OHIC rate review in one year.“

— Speaker Christopher Blazejewski

On behalf of 23,585 Rhode Islanders, CPNRI extends its sincere thanks to Speaker Blazejewski, Senate President Lawson, Chairment Abney, Chairmen DiPalma and Represenative Shanley for their leadership and commitment to disability services this session.

And to every advocate who sent an email, made a call or showed up…this is your win. Let’s get this over the finish line.