Projo Politics Blog

More than three hours after the start of today's hearing on the governor's plan to overhaul Rhode Island's Medicaid system, members of the House Finance Committee continue to grill state human services officials about the particulars of the plan.

On their lists of concerns: questions about insurance coverage levels, opt-out clauses and other fine-print details on the first-in-the-nation agreement between the Carcieri administration and the federal government.

"I have a slew of e-mails here [from worried constituents]," said Rep. Joanne M. Giannini, D-Providence. "We have to get this right and people have to understand what this is because there's a lot of fear out there."

The process of answering those questions was tedious. DHS officials and lawmakers thumbed through the hundreds of pages of materials that constitute the state's agreement with the federal government as they tried to address specifics.

"The average citizen is wondering: What's going to change? What service is going to change for me? How would you answer that?" came a pointed question from Finance Committee Chairman Steven M. Costantino a few moments ago.

Dozens of advocates for the poor, the disabled and the elderly meanwhile are waiting for their chance to share their opinions with the committee. By 2:15 p.m., no one from the public had yet testified. The list of people signed up to speak had topped 50.

Costantino has said he will continue the hearing until early evening. If there are still people left to testify, or the committee has added questions, he will extend the hearing until Monday at 1 p.m.

 Tags  House Finance Committee Medicaid waiver Steven Costantino

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