How would a merger of Lifespan and Care New England affect Rhode Island’s health care system and workers? I have serious concerns.

The two largest health systems in the state want to merge into one even larger health care system that would control 80% of the hospital market, including seven of the nine not-for-profit hospitals in the state. Not only would the new entity control hospital care, it would largely control the physician market as well.

Harold Schofield’s letter (“Narragansett is a town that needs a vision”, The Independent, Jan. 6, 2022) is on the mark regarding that the current Narragansett Town Council definitely needs a vision! Those “paltry” 2021 accomplishments that the current TC touted, are lame, especially as it relates to the Town and its taxpayers.

At a time when the needs of domestic and sexual violence survivors have never been greater, our state has faced drastic cuts to critical funding – affecting how we advocates do our work, and support available for victims and their families when they reach out for help.

When someone needs healthcare should they have to scramble to find the money?  No.  Should we put people in a position where they would decide between paying rent or buying groceries and getting a service that they need? No.  But that is what is happening.

In 2021 the Narragansett Town Council passed a durable, legally supportable version of the “no more than three students per household” ordinance originally passed by the prior council in 2020, but overturned on a procedural technicality.  Residents who fought for this for twenty–five years were finally rewarded.  Now enforcement is the emphasis.

While critical and long overdue, this ordinance is only a first-step in stabilizing Narragansett as a residential community. 

As 2021 ends and we begin 2022 I write to the citizens of North Kingstown to report on what their town government did in 2021 and what citizens can expect in 2022.  

Before I start however, I want to first recognize our town government staff, town manager, and first responders for their dedication to our community during these challenging times.

As the Rhode Island Senate convenes this month, I plan for us to embark upon a transformational session for our state. The federal relief funds distributed to Rhode Island offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reinvest in our state and its people.

As the 2022 legislative session begins, there is work to be done and opportunities to push for positive change. Two years ago, the General Assembly passed the Reproductive Privacy Act.  In doing so, the House issued its policy statement on abortion rights and access in Rhode Island and affirmed that we should protect the right for each of us to make our own decisions.  The problem is that we still have policies on the books that take away health coverage for abortion for state employees and people who use Medicaid.

I am writing as the parent of an elementary school-aged child in Rhode Island to express my extreme concern over the way the state of Rhode Island is handling the current COVID crisis in the public school system.  Most schools in the state are addressing positive cases (in most cases asymptomatic children) by quarantining either entire classes, or large groups of “close contacts” (determined by various dubious methods of seating charts, etc).  This method of testing and quarantining is unsustainable and not in the best interests of students or families.

As one year ends and other begins, it’s always good to take stock in the New Year of important values we still hold dear. Below is a letter I wrote 32 years ago to my very young daughter on New Year’s Eve. It reminds me of what’s important.

In reflection, 2021 has been an impactful year filled with many personal and town accomplishments.  

This year I learned a lot about time management. I was proud to serve on a council that took on so many important issues including building a new state-of-the-art library, amending student housing ordinances to balance quality of life issues in our local neighborhoods, and fighting for a seat at the table to guide the future prosperity and redevelopment of a 5-acre vacant parcel in Galilee. These are just a few of the many issues and policies that shape and affect our beloved town every day.

I recently completed an enrichment class on voting rights at the Beechwood senior center. For our last class the instructor assigned topics for a three-minute presentation.

Voting in Rhode Island in 2020 was my topic.