PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The House Finance Committee released the state’s $14.3 billion budget Tuesday night.
According to Speaker Joseph Shekarchi, this year’s budget was challenging because of reduced federal funding.
He said the $14.3 billion budget is half a billion dollars less than last year.
Members prioritized protecting Medicaid, with Shekarchi highlighting the needs of primary care doctors, hospitals and nursing homes.
The speaker said $38 million more will go to hospitals and $12 million to nursing homes, plus an increase for primary care rate increases.
“There will be a $45 million investment in primary care rate increases, we’ve heard that our reimbursement rates are low, and we’re the primary cause of the healthcare shortage and we wanted to address that immediately and now,” Shekarchi said.
The budget also calls for a two cent increase on the gas tax to help fund RIPTA.
If the budget passes, it will then go to the full house for a vote.
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