With the Rhode Island House of Representatives deliberating the Fiscal Year 2025 budget and key legislation affecting older adults, Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island (SACRI) announced its legislative priorities at its legislative forum in March.

Hundreds of older Rhode Islanders, aging network providers, state officials and lawmakers gathered at the forum called “United Voices for Meaningful Advocacy” at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick. SACRI Board Chair Kathy McKeon delivered welcoming remarks, giving recognition to major sponsor Delta Dental. Serving as master of ceremonies, SACRI Executive Director Carol Anne E. Costa kept the three-hour legislative forum on track.

SACRI Policy Advisor Maureen Maigret gave an overview and highlighted the growing influence of Rhode Island’s aging population.

“We’re 200,000 strong and growing,” she said, noting that within five years, one in four Rhode Islanders will be 65 or older. In 21 of the state’s 39 cities and towns, older adults now make up at least 20% of the population, with some communities reaching over 30%.

Economic impact of older adults

Maigret noted that 21% of older Rhode Islanders still work, many are caregivers for loved ones, and vote in higher numbers than any other age group. About 12% are veterans, and many volunteer at senior centers, Meals on Wheels, RSVP and The Village Common of Rhode Island.

Older adults also contribute significantly to the economy. According to AARP’s Longevity Economic Outlook report, those age 50 and older generate 40% of the nation’s GDP. In Rhode Island, retirees inject $4 billion into the economy through Social Security benefits.

Individually, however, many older adults struggle financially.

“The ‘forgotten middle’ falls through the cracks,” Maigret said, referring to those with low incomes who don’t qualify for Medicaid and some other public benefits. Long-term care costs are rising, and even with home equity, many middle-income adults will not be able to pay for long-term care.

Census data reveals that one in four Rhode Island households headed by someone 65 or older have annual incomes of less than $25,000, and nearly half make less than $50,000. The average Social Security benefit is $23,995, with men receiving $26,372 and women $23,565.

Shaping SACRI’s 2025 legislative agenda

Survey results from SACRI’s October 2024 conference guided this year’s priorities. Among 241 respondents (42% aged 75 and older), top concerns included health care costs and access, economic security, housing and community supports.

SACRI’s top priority is expanding the state’s Medicare Savings Program (MSP) by increasing income and asset limits.

“Expanding MSP eligibility would provide an extra $185 monthly, or $2,200 annually, to thousands of older adults,” Maigret said. The federal government would cover the cost of those newly eligible. This extra income could help with food, utility bills or rent and would be a boon to the state’s economy, she said.

With primary-care practices closing due to retirement and low reimbursements, SACRI is pushing for a rate review to ensure competitive payments.

While fewer than 5% of older Rhode Islanders live in nursing homes, Maigret stressed the importance of addressing the industry’s staffing shortages and substandard care. SACRI supports increasing wages for direct-care staff, rewarding high-performing nursing homes, ensuring financial transparency and preventing Medicaid cuts.

To address the housing crisis, SACRI advocates for fair allocation of state housing funds for housing for older adults and people with disabilities. With public housing waitlists up to five years long, this is essential. SACRI is also pushing to expand income eligibility for the property-tax relief program to $50,000 and mandating accessibility features in new developments.

Aging in place is another priority. SACRI calls for adding $600,000 ($10 per person age 65 and older) to the state budget to support community senior centers and enacting a caregiver tax credit to assist Rhode Island’s 112,000 caregivers, who spend an average of $7,000 out of pocket annually.

SACRI also seeks to increase Medicaid’s asset limit from $4,000 to $12,000 to help older adults on Medicaid remain at home. Additional funding for volunteer programs and continuing the “Ride to Anywhere Pilot” are also on SACRI’s agenda.

Maigret also noted that SACRI is in close contact with the state’s congressional delegation to oppose any harmful Medicaid cuts or changes in Social Security.”

Lawmakers respond

Bringing greetings from House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, Rep. Lauren Carson (D-Dist. 75, Newport), who chairs the Special Legislative Commission on Services and Programs for Older Rhode Islanders, acknowledged the political power of older voters. “In the 2024 primary, 87% of voters were over age 85. I paid close attention to that,” she said.

Carson emphasized the importance of protecting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. “Social Security is a promise. We paid into it. We can’t lose that program,” she said.

She highlighted legislative victories from 2024, including a $10-million investment to stabilize nursing homes, raising the pension exemption from $20,000 to $50,000, and launching the “Digital Age” initiative to bridge the digital divide. However, she said, more work remains.

Carson is also leading efforts to eliminate ageist language from state statutes, replacing terms like “elderly” and “senior citizen” with “older adults.” “We’re living diverse lifestyles beyond age 60, and our language should reflect that,” she said.

Representing Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence) Sen. Jacob E. Bissaillon (D-Dist. 1, Providence), chair of the Senate Committee on Housing & Municipal Government, echoed Carson’s concerns. He warned that state lawmakers must protect hard-won progress considering potential federal cuts and a $250-million state budget shortfall.

Bissaillon called to address the housing crisis.

“There are 150,000 Rhode Island households paying over 33% of their income on housing. We need 20,000 more affordable units and 2,000 permanent supportive housing units,” he said. He also supports eliminating the state income tax on Social Security and pointed to the Senate’s newly established Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies Committee, noting its important aims to protect older adults from cyber scams.

“It’s critical that Rhode Island keeps pace with technology,” Bissaillon said “We have our work cut out for us.”

Following the legislative-priorities session, Carlson called to order a meeting of the Special Legislative Commission on Services and Programs for Older Rhode Islanders.

At this time, Elizabeth Dugan, Ph.D, from the University of Massachusetts Gerontology Institute, presented highlights from the 2025 RI Healthy Aging Data Report scheduled for full release on May 1.

To learn more about SACRI, go to https://senioragendari.org/

Herb Weiss, LRI -12, is a Pawtucket-based writer who has covered aging, health care and medical issues for over 45 years. To purchase his books, “Taking Charge: Collected Stories on Aging Boldly” and two sequels compiling weekly published articles, go to herbweiss.com – or purchase from Amazon.