Overview

Rhode Island is a leader in incorporating quality improvement into its public insurance programs. By making quality improvement a central feature of RIte Care—the state's managed care program for Medicaid, the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and certain uninsured populations—Rhode Island officials believed they could achieve better health for residents as well as lower health costs in the long run. They posited that if coverage were provided within the context of improved access under a comprehensive managed care model, enrollees would be empowered to use the system more effectively and efficiently—and would achieve the kinds of health outcomes enjoyed by higher-income families.

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