• The Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation received a federal Exchange Planning grant of $1 million in 2010 and was awarded a $5.2 million federal Level One Exchange Establishment grant in May 2011 to “strengthen health information technology systems, develop an integrated consumer support program to provide support to individuals and small businesses, and strengthen its business operations.”

• Rhode Island is a member of the consortium of New England states that received a federal Early Innovator grant of $36 million to develop, share, and leverage insurance exchange technology. The multi-state consortium also includes Connecticut, Maine, Vermont, and Massachusetts with the University of Massachusetts Medical School as the grant holder.

• In November 2011, Rhode Island received the first Level Two Exchange Establishment grant. The $58.5 million grant will fund the development, design, and technology procurement of the Exchange through December 2014.

• Rhode Island, along with nine other states, is receiving technical assistance from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation through the State Health Reform Assistance Network; this assistance includes help with setting up health insurance exchanges, expanding Medicaid to newly eligible populations, streamlining eligibility and enrollment systems, instituting insurance market reforms and using data to drive decisions.

•  The Governor established the exchange via executive order when it failed to pass in the legislature. This decision was heavily influenced by the Rhode Island Healthcare Reform Commission's recommendations.

• Rhode Island has received conditional approval for a state-based exchange from the Department of Health and Human Serivces, as long as they are able to perform all necessary functions and comply with all future and current guidelines.

• The Exchange will be governed by a 13-member board.  Current appointed Board members are:

For More Information:

• http://www.healthcare.ri.gov/