JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $100,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND OFFICE OF HEALTHY AGING FOR THE ALLIANCE FOR BETTER LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM (Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of $100,000 to the Rhode Island Office Of Healthy Aging for the RI Long-Term Care Ombudsman program.)

H7059

2026 -- H 7059
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LC003479
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N
MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $100,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND OFFICE OF
HEALTHY AGING FOR THE ALLIANCE FOR BETTER LONG-TERM CARE
OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM

Introduced By:
Representatives Slater, and Diaz

Date Introduced:
January 09, 2026

Referred To:
House Finance
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WHEREAS, The federal Older Americans Act (OAA) requires every state to have an
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Ombudsman Program that addresses complaints, protects resident rights and advocates for
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improvements in the long-term care system, and in 1995, Rhode Island passed a law to establish
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the state long-term care ombudsman program; and
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WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman operates as
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an independent body whose purpose is to assist elders and individuals with disabilities receiving
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long-term care services; and
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WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman is
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administered by the RI Office of Healthy Aging through a contract with the Alliance for Better
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Long-Term Care using a combination of federal and state funds; and
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WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman advocates on
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behalf of residents of the State’s 76 licensed nursing facilities with 8,405 beds, 65 assisted living
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residences with 5,209 units, and residents of the Bristol Veterans’ Home and the Eleanor Slater
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Hospital; and
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WHEREAS, Many residents of these facilities have chronic conditions, need assistance
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with daily living tasks, and may feel isolated and often face unmet needs; and
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WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman's
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responsibilities include identifying, investigating and resolving through mediation, negotiation,
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and administrative action, complaints filed by residents or individuals acting on their behalf, as

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well as representing resident interests before government agencies, reviewing and commenting as
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appropriate on laws, regulations and policies relating to the rights and well-being or residents of
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facilities, and providing information to residents and the public; and
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WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Department of Health surveys have found an increase in
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serious deficiencies in nursing facility care over the last several years, and assisted living
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residents have higher care needs than in the past; and
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WHEREAS, There has been a significant increase in the workload of the RI Office of the
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Long-Term Care Ombudsman with the number of complaints received more than tripling going
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from 597 in 2023, to 1,787 to date in 2025, with 30 percent of the 2025 complaints relating to
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abuse, gross neglect and exploitation and 22 percent relating to care issues; and
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WHEREAS, Combined federal and state funding to operate the RI Office of the Long-
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Term Care Ombudsman has not increased to reflect inflation or the increased workload leaving
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vulnerable long-term care residents at risk for poorer quality of care or infringement of their
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rights; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated, out of money in the treasury not
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otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2026-2027, the sum of one hundred thousand dollars
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($100,000) to the Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging for the Alliance for Better Long-Term
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Care Ombudsman Program; and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw
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their orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of said sum, or so much thereof as may be
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from time to time required, upon receipt of properly authenticated vouchers.
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LC003479
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LC003479 - Page 2 of 3
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N
MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $100,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND OFFICE OF
HEALTHY AGING FOR THE ALLIANCE FOR BETTER LONG-TERM CARE
OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM
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This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $100,000 to the Rhode
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Island Office Of Healthy Aging for the RI Long-Term Care Ombudsman program.
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LC003479
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LC003479 - Page 3 of 3