Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

Business leaders, health-care advocates and consumers will gather at the State House on Tuesday to oppose the elimination of the Rhode Island health insurance commissioner's office, which was unexpectedly proposed in the state budget lawmakers unveiled last Wednesday.

The budget approved by the House Finance Committee would eliminate the statute that established Commissioner Christopher Koller's office five years ago and save $700,000. Chairman Steven Costantino said the responsibilities of the office, including the review of requests by health-insurance companies to raise premium rates, can be handled by other agencies, which is what took place previously.

The proposed elimination sparked an outcry from health-care advocates, small-business leaders and Lt. Gov. Eiizabeth Roberts, who said at the time that they planned to organize a rally for Koller. On Monday afternoon, Roberts announced that the groups will hold a news conference at 12:30 p.m. in the ball area of the State House.

The budget unveiling came the day before Koller rebuffed insurers seeking rate hikes of as much as 16 percent and asked them to withdraw their requests.

 Tags  house budget Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts RI health insurance

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