At SUMHLC, we work each day to promote a collaborative, coordinated system of high quality, comprehensive community-based mental health and substance use prevention and treatment services. By working with a compassionate, experienced network of providers, we are making a real difference in the communities we serve and are supporting those who need it most.

But now, we need the help of our Governor and General Assembly to ensure our patients and families continue to receive the care they so desperately need.

Our mental health and substance use service providers have reached the breaking point. After almost 20 years without a rate increase, many working in this critical profession are being forced to seek employment elsewhere or close their doors all together. Some are leaving the human services industry for a career in retail or food services, just to make ends meet.

We must act now to ensure that the State of Rhode Island remains at the forefront of mental health and substance use disorder treatment and prevention. The human impact of not acting is simply too great.

In 2022, the General Assembly passed rate reform to ensure access to services for Rhode Islanders. However, after a comprehensive review by the Office of Health Insurance Commissioner (OHIC), it was discovered that $65 million in investment is needed to adequately fund the need. Unfortunately, only $22.2 million of the OHIC’s recommendations have been included in the Governor’s budget, which goes directly against the intent of the 2022 legislation.

We are asking that, for the sake of the most vulnerable in our state, the Governor, and the General Assembly work together to properly fund this incredibly vital need. House Bill 7591 and Senate Bill 2553 will strengthen the original 2022 legislation by requiring that the Governor include the fully recommended rates in the annual budget submission.

Let’s work together to fulfill the promise that was made to these providers in 2022.

Call your legislators and ask them to pass HB 7591 and SB 2553 to ensure that our providers can continue to deliver critical services at a livable wage. The consequences of inaction would not only hurt providers, but also our friends and neighbors who are truly in crisis.

To view the RI House of Representatives, click here: https://www.rilegislature.gov/representatives/default.aspx

To view the RI Senate, click here: https://www.rilegislature.gov/senators/default.aspx