Governor McKee Submits Budget Amendment to Improve Transparency, Support Stability in Health Care System

Published on Friday, April 18, 2025

This amendment is a critical step in protecting access to care for all Rhode Islanders

PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee today submitted a budget amendment to the General Assembly to strengthen fiscal oversight of Rhode Island’s health care system. The proposed amendment would require hospitals, nursing facilities, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), large physician practices, and other providers to submit quarterly financial reports, reviewed and approved by their governing boards, to the State.

The goal of this new requirement is to improve transparency and to support early identification of financial risks that may threaten the continuity of care. Recent health care provider closures and layoffs have underscored the need for additional proactive measures that enable the State to monitor financial solvency and engage in timely problem-solving.

“This amendment is a critical step in protecting access to care for all Rhode Islanders,” said Governor Dan McKee. “This new reporting requirement is designed to be an early-warning mechanism–not a punitive measure. By collecting financials on a quarterly basis, the State can engage providers earlier to preserve stability, promote solvency, and avoid disruptions in care.”

Governor McKee added, “From investments in provider rates and primary care training sites to the launch of our Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, my administration is focused on strategic actions to bolster Rhode Island’s health care system.”

This budget amendment is one of the early implementation steps of the Health Care System Planning Cabinet, which Governor McKee established through Executive Order in 2024. The Cabinet’s mission is to assess the state’s health care system, address cross-cutting challenges, and build a cohesive roadmap for long-term system sustainability. Its Foundational Report, released in January, outlines key priorities including fiscal integrity, workforce stabilization, healthcare access, and primary care investments.

“Rhode Island’s health care system is experiencing many of the same stressors we see nationwide—workforce challenges, rising costs, and access issues,” said Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Richard Charest. “The budget amendment submitted today reflects our commitment to fiscal transparency and proactive planning. This is about planning smart and acting early. We owe it to the people of Rhode Island to protect their health care access—and that starts with understanding where risks lie and addressing them before it’s too late.”

To learn more about the Health Care System Planning Cabinet and read its Foundational Report, visit: https://eohhs.ri.gov/RI-Health-Care-System-Planning