RIOP's Mission
RIOP works with 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.
Our dear friend and colleague Marjorie Waters passed away on February 22 , 2025.
Marjorie was instrumental in the work of RIOP over the past 11 years . She trained countless community residents how to organize to improve their lives. She was a key leader in RIOP’s efforts to improve health care, public transportation , and long-term care.
We will miss her sharp intellect and compassion for elders and adults with disabilities.
Increase funding for RIPTA.
Expand access to health care and long term care services for Medicaid & Medicare recipients.
Improve resident care in Rhode Island's nuring homes.
2026 Transportation Victories.
Thanks to the Save RIPTA Coalition for its efforts to increase funding for Rhode Island’s public transit system. RIPTA will receive new revenues for FY 2027 from the RI General Assembly.
Starting July 1, 2026, RIPTA will receive:
4.2 million in new revenue to partially reverse the 2025 service cuts.
15 million in new funding for bus shelters over the next five years.
Upcoming Transportation Organizing.
RIOP will continue to work with the Save RIPTA Coalition to increase funding for RIPTA and to improve bus service for existing bus riders. Our long term goal will be to work with our coalition partners to expand bus service in underserved areas of Rhode Island.
RIOP has been conducting outreach to bus riders for the past ten years. Bus riders consistently tell us that RIPTA needs to improve night and weekend service, create more rapid bus routes like the R Line, and expand into underserved rural and suburban areas.
Access to high quality public transportation is crucial for the elderly and disabled. Many are either unable to drive or cannot afford to own a car.
Past RIOP Public Transportation Campaigns.
RIOP co-led the campaign to preserve the RIPTA No Fare Bus Program. Over 15,000 low-income elders and adults with disabilities benefited from the reinstatement of the No Fare Bus Pass Program in 2017. RIOP played a leading role in the campaign to stop the ill advised multi hub bus proposal for Providence. Splitting up the bus hub into three different sites would have created longer rides for bus riders. RIOP also worked with the RI Transit Riders to improve transit services at Kennedy Plaza.
Improving Nursing Home Care
RIOP has been a member of the Raise the Bar Coalition for the past five years. The coalition has fought to establish minimum staffing standards in Rhode Island’s nursing homes. The coalition has also worked to improve the pay and training opportunities for nursing home workers.
RIOP will continue to work with the Raise the Bar Coalition to improve the care received by Rhode Island’s nursing home residents.
Medicare Savings Program
Congratulations to our partners from Voices for Better Health for increasing income eligibility for the Medicare Savings Program effective March 1, 2026. Under the new eligibility standards for the Medicare Savings Program, Medicare recipients in Rhode Island who earn under 125% of the federal poverty level will be eligible to have their Medicare premiums and co-pays covered. Rhode Island residents who earn under 168% of the federal poverty will be eligible to have their Medicare premiums covered.
The expansion of the eligibility standards for the Medicare Savings Program will help an additional 4,000 RI residents cover the costs of their Medicare co-pays and an additional 6,000 residents pay for their Medicare Premiums.
RIOP will work with our Voices for Better Health partners to educate community residents about the new eligibility requirements and encourage them to apply for the program if they are not currently enrolled.
Self-Directed Home Care Programs
In 2019, RIOP worked with labor and community organizations to create the Independent Provider Program .The program was designed to assist the elderly to hire a homecare worker directly rather than go through an agency. Our goal was to expand the pool of homecare workers by allowing the elderly to hire friends, family, and neighborhoods to help them with their homecare needs.
In 2023, the Independent Provider Program was merged with the Personal Choice Program. The two programs share similar goals and will allow both the elderly and disabled adults who are eligible for Medicaid LTSS to hire the worker of their choice for their homecare needs.
For more information about the Personal Choice Program call 401-462-6393.
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 401.462.4444
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (MTM)
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.
If you are experiencing problems with MTM or would like us to speak with your organization to discuss non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) call the RIOP office. (401.351.5577)
RIOP OUTREACH in 2026
RIOP will be visiting subsidized housing, congregations, and nonprofits to listen to community residents' concerns and to involve them in our ongoing organizing campaigns. Our outreach will also help RIOP identify potential new organizing campaigns.
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
RIOP's Monthly Community Call
For more information about RIOP’s community call.
Contact Ray Gagne 401-351-5577
Improving Health Care for Dual Eligible Medicaid and Medicare Recipients
RIOP has worked for the past 10 years to improve health care outcomes for dually eligible Medicare and Medicaid recipients. We have advocated for improved care coordination, lower costs for prescription drugs, and improved access to home and community-based services.
We will continue to conduct outreach to community residents to learn how the health care system can be improved for dually eligible Medicare and Medicaid recipients.
For more information about RIOP’s Work
Contact Executive Director/Lead Organizer: Ray Gagne
Call: 401-351-5577 or Email: riorgproj@gmail.com
