Cicilline and HealthSource RI Team Up to Announce Workshop Series for First District Constituents

PAWTUCKET – U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (D-RI) joined HealthSource RI Director Christine Ferguson to announce a series of informational workshops that will provide information regarding the new Health Care Exchange for Rhode Island small business owners, young adults, and the uninsured.

“We've seen tremendous interest from Rhode Islanders during our first days of open enrollment,” said Ferguson. “We look forward to working with Congressman Cicilline in getting the word out to all Rhode Islanders about how HealthSource RI can help them access affordable health insurance for their families or their employees.”

Cicilline and Ferguson today announced that their offices will host a series of three workshops through the end of the year to provide information for residents of Rhode Island’s First Congressional District. HealthSource RI staff and members of Cicilline’s Congressional office will be on hand to answer questions and provide information regarding services available for small business owners on October 26th at the East Providence Public Library on Grove Avenue. Additional workshops will be held for young people (November 2nd) and uninsured families (November 9th).

Following the enactment of the Affordable Care Act, open enrollment for the new Rhode Island Health Care Exchange began on October 1, 2013. The Affordable Care Act is already providing concrete benefits for residents of Rhode Island’s First Congressional District, according to a staff report prepared recently by Democrats on the House Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Education and the Workforce. According to this report, 146,000 residents of the First Congressional District now have health insurance that covers preventive services without co-pays, coinsurance, or deductible; 27,000 children with pre-existing conditions are no longer denied health care coverage; 4,600 young adults can stay on their parents’ health care plans; and 7,300 seniors have received $8.8 million in prescription drug discounts.

“The Affordable Care Act is making it possible for families across Rhode Island  to enjoy expanded access to quality, affordable health care,” said Cicilline. “I am delighted to be teaming up with HealthSource RI to hold a series of informational workshops so that all eligible Rhode Islanders can take advantage of these new opportunities.”

Since his election to Congress in 2010, Cicilline has focused significant resources on delivering effective constituent services for residents of Rhode Island’s First Congressional District with his casework team fielding nearly 2,500 requests for assistance. Constituents who would like more information regarding services available through Cicilline’s office should call 729-5600 or visit www.cicilline.house.gov.