S 2874Public Health

Health and Safety - Rhode Island Program to Address Alzheimer's Disease

This bill creates a new full-time position at the Department of Health to coordinate services for people with dementia.

Introduced38 Yea0 Nay0 Not voting

Population
Affected

Introduced Mar 4, 2026Committee Senate Health & Human Services

Plain-English Summary

This legislation mandates the creation of a new full-time position within the Rhode Island Department of Health called the "dementia services coordinator." This individual will be responsible for managing the state's approach to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Key duties include overseeing the state's Alzheimer's plan, analyzing data, evaluating state-funded services, and identifying grant opportunities. Additionally, the coordinator will work to improve communication and cooperation between public and private organizations that provide care to those affected by dementia to prevent the duplication of services.

For younger readers

This law tells the state Department of Health to hire a new person whose special job is to help people with brain sicknesses like Alzheimer’s disease. These sicknesses can make people forget things and have trouble thinking. This new worker will make a plan to help patients and their families. They will look at information, find money to pay for help, and make sure that doctors and other helpers are working together. The goal is to make sure people with memory problems get the best care possible without everyone doing the same job twice.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Alzheimer's and dementia patientsFamily caregiversDepartment of Health employeesHealthcare providersElderly residents

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

Amount unknown

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Strengthens the social safety net for vulnerable elderly populations and their families by ensuring dedicated state-level oversight and coordination of dementia care services.
Promotes efficient use of public resources by identifying and preventing the duplication of services, allowing funds to reach more individuals in need.
Mandates the identification of grant opportunities, which increases the likelihood of securing federal or private funding to expand social services for those living with dementia.
Creates an administrative position rather than directly allocating funds to frontline care providers or financial assistance for low-income families struggling with caregiving costs.
Relies on data analysis and "recommendations" which may delay immediate action needed to address healthcare disparities in marginalized communities affected by dementia.
The creation of a single coordinator position may be insufficient to address the systemic scale of the dementia crisis facing the aging population.

For Conservatives

Explicitly tasks the coordinator with preventing the duplication of services, which aligns with the goal of eliminating government waste and inefficiency.
Requires the identification of grant opportunities, potentially shifting the financial burden of these services away from state tax revenue to other funding sources.
Focuses on data analysis and evaluation of state-funded services, ensuring that taxpayer money currently being spent is actually producing results.
Expands the size of state government by mandating a new permanent, full-time classified employee position with salary and benefits paid by taxpayers.
Increases government involvement in the healthcare sector, potentially leading to more bureaucratic oversight of private providers and organizations.
Grant mandates often come with federal strings attached, potentially subjecting the state to federal policy requirements that override local control.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 24 additions

SECTION 1. Chapter 23-1.7 of the General Laws entitled "Rhode Island Program to Address Alzheimer’s Disease" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following sections: 23-1.7-8. Creation of dementia services coordinator.

(a) The department of health shall establish a dementia services coordinator that shall be a full-time position within state government and shall be in the classified service.

(b) The dementia services coordinator shall have the following duties:

(1) Coordinate the department's approach to addressing Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia including, but not limited to, public awareness, prevention, and early detection;

(2) Oversee the implementation and updating of the Rhode Island Alzheimer's disease and related disorder state plan;

(3) Assess and analyze dementia-related data collected by the state;

(4) Evaluate state-funded dementia services;

(5) Identify and support the provision of dementia-specific training programs;

(6) Establish and maintain relationships with agencies, providers, and organizations within the state in order to meet the needs of those affected by dementia and prevent the duplication of services and initiatives;

(7) Recommend strategies to improve coordination of dementia-related services and resources provided by public and private entities;

(8) Recommend strategies to improve coordination of dementia-related services and resources provided by public and private entities;

(9) Identify grant opportunities to expand services for persons living the dementia as determined by the department; and

(10) Carry out other duties relevant to the support of individuals with dementia and their caregivers as determined by the department.

(b) The dementia services coordinator shall work in coordination with the advisory council on Alzheimer's disease and related disorders created pursuant to § 23-1.7-2.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.