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Voices for Better Health

Voices for Better Health (VBH) is a collaboration working to improve the health and economic security of older adults in Rhode Island.

Our Mission

The Senior Agenda Coalition is an independent and diverse coalition of agency and individual members. Our mission is to mobilize people to implement an agenda that improves the quality of life of older Rhode Islanders and adults with disabilities. We accomplish this through community organizing, public education, advocacy, and legislative action.

Our History

Founded in 2002 as a program of the Gray Panthers of Rhode Island, the Senior Agenda Coalition has been a leading organization for aging adults in Rhode Island . The Coalition prioritizes issues that help older Rhode Islanders maintain choice and dignity in their living and social environments. It is a voice for the protection and promotion of public and private programs that protect aging adults’ quality of life.

Our Work

The Coalition’s research and public education efforts have helped win a number of victories for aging adults, including increased funding for home and community-based care programs, support for aging adult centers, a wrap-around prescription drug program to help aging adults on Medicare Part D, and improvements for public transportation.

Our Strength

One of the Coalition’s greatest strengths is our ability to engage our coalition members in our mission and work collaboratively with other organizations. Our intent and core purpose is to create and sustain this collaborative effort. The Senior Agenda Coalition conducts ongoing research on local and nationwide “best practices and policies” in aging adult-specific topics such as long term care.

Our Focus on Policy Change

The Coalition monitors federal and particularly state legislation affecting aging adults. Our members attend hearings, provide testimony, and attend meetings to educate legislators about our views on legislation that directly affects them. We also monitor the implementation of legislation and work with state agencies on the development of regulations relevant to aging adult programs.

History

Voices for Better Health (VBH)

Early Beginnings

Voices for Better Health started in 2013 when five states (Michigan, New York, Ohio, Washington, and Rhode Island) pursued a federal demonstration initiative to address older adults eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. Community Catalyst, a national non-profit advocacy organization working to build and transform the American health system, funded and helped to start Voices for Better Health.

Voices for Better Health started in 2013 when five states (Michigan, New York, Ohio, Washington, and Rhode Island) pursued a federal demonstration initiative to address older adults eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. Community Catalyst, a national non-profit advocacy organization working to build and transform the American health system, funded and helped to start Voices for Better Health.

Voices for Better Health started in 2013 when five states (Michigan, New York, Ohio, Washington, and Rhode Island) pursued a federal demonstration initiative to address older adults eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. Community Catalyst, a national non-profit advocacy organization working to build and transform the American health system, funded and helped to start Voices for Better Health.

Voices for Better Health started in 2013 when five states (Michigan, New York, Ohio, Washington, and Rhode Island) pursued a federal demonstration initiative to address older adults eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. Community Catalyst, a national non-profit advocacy organization working to build and transform the American health system, funded and helped to start Voices for Better Health.

Research
Provide research and information to members of legislature on issues and policies concerning older adults to help craft bills.
Provide testimony on legislation that would have positive impact on older adults, especially low-income and marginalized groups.
Monitor the state Integrated Care Initiative (ICS) as it is being sunsetted and development of new managed care program for duals (D-SNP) to ensure the consumer voice is heard in roll out of the new program.
Lead effort to advocate to address inequity in Medicaid eligibility for persons age 65 and over and older adults with disabilities.
Monitor the Non-Emergency Medicaid Transportation Program (NEMT) and Elderly Transportation (ET) metrics on usage and complaint investigations and recommend needed system improvements or service expansion.
Advocate for adequate state funding for public transportation for older persons and persons with disabilities including the Free/Reduced bus programs.
Lead effort to expand the Temporary Caregiver Insurance program to assist family caregivers.
Promote and engage community members in advocacy activities.
Provide public education and advocacy training to support policy issues and legislation important to older adults.
Promote programs to assist older adults to remain at home through increased funding for home and community-based services that will support livable wages for direct care staff.
Increase income eligibility for the Medicare Savings Program to help more older adults and persons with disabilities on Medicare by covering Medicare Premium costs and co-payments.
Increase state funding for local aging adult centers that address many social determinants of health to reach a total of $10 per person age 65+ in each community.
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