Message from the Governor

Welcome to the Rhode Island Health Benefits Exchange!

In 2011, I created the Exchange by Executive Order to ensure we connect Rhode Island small businesses and consumers to affordable, high-quality health insurance. Rhode Island is in the forefront of meaningful health care reform as it creates the Exchange, strengthens our primary care system, develops health information technology and encourages innovations in hospital quality.

The high cost of health insurance is a major burden for Rhode Island employers and their employees. The Exchange is dedicated to making it easier to do business in Rhode Island. On behalf of employers, the Exchange will be actively negotiating with health insurance companies to develop new and innovative insurance products. In addition, it will offer easy comparisons, access to tax credits for qualifying businesses, as well as new ways to buy insurance that provide value to employers. The Health Benefits Exchange will push to make insurance choices clearer and costs more affordable and predictable.

The Health Benefits Exchange, which will be operational in fall 2013, will also allow Rhode Islanders who are unable to get insurance through their employers access to federal tax credits or Medicaid coverage to help cover the cost of insurance and choose high-quality plans from a variety of insurance carriers. The Exchange will make the enrollment process consumer-friendly and Rhode Islanders will have access to a range of customer service options if they need help entering information or choosing a plan.

Rhode Island's approach to health reform continues to make us a national leader and I remain committed to making the Health Benefits Exchange an effective model for other states to follow.

Sincerely,

Lincoln D. Chafee
Governor