What is RIOP?
RIOP’s works with low- income elders and adults with disabilities to improve access to health care, transportation, and community-based services. RIOP trains community residents to be active in their communities around the issues that are important to them. Community residents are trained to tell their stories, organize their friends and neighbors, and work with public officials to make policy changes that benefit the community.
RIOP WINTER 2023 Updates
2023 Legislative Priorities
RIOP will be working with our partner the Senior Agenda Coalition to improve access to home and community-based services and reduce medical expenses for moderate income elders.
RIOP ‘s top priority will be to support efforts to increase the pay of the long-term care workforce. Workers at nursing homes and homecare agencies deserve pay rates of at least $20 per hour. Access to quality homecare services has been a top priority for RIOP for the past ten years. Each year we do outreach in the community and seniors emphasize they want to age in their homes and communities.
RIOP will also support increasing the income levels to qualify for the Medicare Savings Program (MSP) to %185 of the poverty level or approximately $2,247 per month. The Medicare Savings Program assists elders to pay their Medicare premiums and medical co-pays.
RIOP also supports the Senior Agenda Coalition’s efforts to increase state funding for the Point and the Office of Healthy Aging.
RIOP’s Accomplishments
Some of RIOP’s most recent accomplishments include:
Restoring the RIPTA No Fare Bus Pass program.
Creating the new Independent Provider homecare program.
Preventing medical co-pays for Medicaid recipients.
Organized for "Raise The Bar" legislation becoming law.
Senior Agenda Coalition’s Legislative Leaders Forum📢
We encourage you to attend the Senior Agenda Coalition’s Forum on March 22 at 9.45 at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick.
RIOP supports the Senior Agenda’s efforts to promote a Senior Friendly State Budget. Senate President Ruggerio and Speaker Shekarchi have committed to attend the Forum.
You may register down below. RIOP can also register for you.
How to Register: Registration is free, but we request that you register in advance at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/555341049027
You can also register by going to Senior Agenda's website www.senioragendari.org and clicking the registration link.
Kennedy Plaza & RIPTA Services
RIOP is working to improve conditions at Kennedy Plaza. We are calling on the Governor and RIPTA to reopen the office at Kennedy Plaza to process the elderly and No Fare Bus passes. We are also calling on RIPTA and the Governor to improve security, pedestrian safety, and the infrastructure at Kennedy Plaza. RIPTA should prioritize repairing broken bus shelters and transit signs at Kennedy Plaza immediately.
RIOP remains opposed to the creation of a new central bus terminal on Dorrance Street. RIPTA must prioritize improving bus service before it embarks on a new bus terminal. We also question the wisdom of building a new terminal when Kennedy Plaza could be renovated at a fraction of the cost of the proposed Dorrance Street Transit Center. Kennedy Plaza is more than adequate to meet the current and future transit needs of Rhode Island bus riders. The central location and large footprint of Kennedy Plaza also makes it far superior for handling bus traffic than the proposed Dorrance Street location.
Call or email Governor Mckee and urge him to maintain Kennedy Plaza as the Central Bus hub. Governor McKee’s phone number-401.222.2080. Email-governor@governor.ri.gov
Providence Street Stories - Kennedy Plaza
"I am Wendy Thomas. I am 61, and I’ll be 62 in October. I live at Dean Street Studios, which is right across from the main police station in Providence. I have many health issues. I’ve had three heart attacks, a hip replacement, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, the whole nine yards. I was homeless at one point. I’m housed now, and I have been for three and a half years.
I usually take the bus. And it’s tough. And it will be tougher if they make the changes.
We’re hoping that once Daniel McKee comes in [as Governor], he'll be more sympathetic to the cause and will, if not stop it completely, at least start the process over, and get more public input. He’s had quite a few meetings with different groups that I’m involved in. He’s taken the time to sit down and listen to these people."
Homecare Winter Update
Expanding access to homecare continues to be a top priority
RIOP is urging state leaders to improve access to Home and Community Based Services for elders and adults with disabilities. The recent Covid 19 crisis shows that many elders are safer at home. Specifically, we are calling on state leaders to:
Expand access to personal choice programs such as the Independent Provider Program that allows elders and adults with disabilities to directly hire and supervise their home care workers.
Increase subsidies for moderate income elders who must pay out of pocket for homecare services.
Expanded eligibility for the @Home Cost Share Program
The RI General Assembly increased eligibility for the At- Home Cost Share program to 250% of the federal poverty limit. This is a critical program for Medicare only seniors who are having trouble affording the cost of homecare and adult day services. The At- Home Cost Share program assists elders with homecare (housekeeping, personal care, and meal prep) or adult daycare services. The state assists eligible seniors 65+ by paying a portion of the cost of these services. Adults between the age 14-64 with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia are also eligible for the program.
For information on the @Home Cost Share Program, call the Point at 401.462.4444
Independent Provider Program
RIOP has been continually educating community members about the Independent Provider Program for homecare. The program provides workers with a living wage and allows community residents to directly hire the worker of their choice. Family members and friends who are currently doing the work for free may be eligible to be paid for providing home care services.
For more information about the Independent Provider Program call Luisa Novais @ 401.379-0263.
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (MTM)
Winter Update 2023
RIOP will continue to work to improve the performance of the current NEMT vendor MTM. We want to make sure that MTM riders are getting to their appointments in a timely and safe manner.
Our main goals for 2023 will be to improve on time performance, eliminate driver no shows, and improve reliability in the outlying areas of the state .
Establish an independent, state NEMT Ombudsman
Prioritize NEMT trips for cancer treatment, dialysis and pre-op testing
If you are experiencing problems with MTM or would like us to speak with your organization or building to discuss non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) call the RIOP office. (401.351.5577)
Rhode Island Medicare Medicaid Plan (RINHP - Integrity) 🩺
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services just issued a ruling that will lead to the elimination of the Integrated Care Initiative in Rhode Island for dual eligible Medicare and Medicaid recipients.
RIOP will be working to ensure that the Rhode Island Integrated Care Initiative for dual Medicare Medicaid enrollees is extended until 2025. The current health plan for the Integrated Care Initiative, NHP Integrity, receives high consumer satisfaction ratings due to its excellent responsiveness to the needs of its members. We will also work to ensure that new healthcare plans introduced after 2025 will offer the same excellent care coordination, health care, and home & community based services.
RIOP provides ongoing support to the community residents who serve on the Consumer Advisory Board that provides input to the three -way partnership.
RIOP OUTREACH 2023
RIOP will be kicking off a new round of outreach the winter and spring of 2023. We will be canvassing downtown and at local bus stops to involve people in our campaign to save Kennedy Plaza as the central bus hub. We will also be sponsoring listening sessions to develop our organizing agenda for 2023. If you would like RIOP to visit your organization or hold an online listening session call or email RIOP. Phone-401.351.5577. Email-riorgproj@gmail.com
The RIOP listening sessions have been an important tool to help community members feel less isolated and recognize that many of the issues they face are shared by others. The listening sessions have also helped RIOP keep community members engaged in our ongoing homecare, health care, and transportation campaigns.
We sponsor calls for congregations and community organizations. If you would like to set a call for your organization or participate in one of our ongoing calls, contact the RIOP office at 401.351-5577. You may also send us an email at riorgproj@gmail.com.
RIOP's Weekly Community Call
Tuesday calls are on the 2nd Tueday of each month.
Thursday calls are weekly at 11:00 am.
1 304-907-1262 PIN/CODE: 566 593 713#
How has your life changed?
How has the pandemic affected you?
Have you been getting the information you need to keep you safe?
Do you have any problems accessing food? What services do you need that you aren’t currently getting?
Are you getting the at home care you need?
We want to hear your concerns, issues and suggestions on how we all can remain safe, informed and connected with others.
For more information about RIOP’s community call.
Contact Ray Gagne or Marjorie Waters 401-351-5577
Implementation Council Members
Improving Health Care for Dual Eligible Medicaid and Medicare Recipients
RIOP supports the goals of Rhode Island’s Integrated Care Initiative (ICI) for Medicare and Medicaid recipients. The new health plan, (Neighborhood Health Plan Integrity) for dual eligible Medicare and Medicaid recipients has helped reduce prescription co pays, improved access to homecare, and helped community residents navigate the healthcare system.
RIOP also provides ongoing guidance and support to consumer members of the Implementation Council for Integrated Care Initiative. The Implementation Council is designed to give community residents oversight and input into the ICI.
Congratulations to the 2021-2022 members and officers on the Implementation Council:
Chairperson Sherman Pines
1st Vice Chairperson Barbara Jolly
2nd Vice Chairperson Christina Tate
Secretary Barbara Monk
Consumer Council Members
Rosa DeCastillo
Joyce Durazzo
Cheryl Robinson
David Redding
June Smith
Ed Sousa
Christina Tate
Wendy Thomas
Barbara Thompson
April Vasquez
Barbara Monk
For more information about RIOP’s Campaigns
Contact Executive DIrector/Lead Organizer: Ray Gagne OR
Community Organizer: Marjorie Waters
Call: 401-351-5577 or Email: riorgproj@gmail.com
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