Amo and Magaziner Speak with Community Health Center Leaders About Health Care Affordability Crisis

PROVIDENCE, RI – Today, U.S. Representatives Gabe Amo (RI-01) and Seth Magaziner (RI-02) joined local health care providers and the Rhode Island Health Center Association to highlight the growing health care affordability crisis, which is driving up insurance premiums for patients and putting strain the community health centers that provide primary care to one in five Rhode Islanders.

The conversation comes just after the start of open enrollment through HealthSource RI, a time when thousands of Rhode Islanders are seeing steep premium increases for 2026. Amo and Magaziner have repeatedly called for Congress to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits that help more than 40,000 Rhode Islanders afford coverage.

“With open enrollment underway, Rhode Islanders are seeing their health costs soar," said Congressman Gabe Amo. "I appreciated hearing from Rhode Island community health centers leaders about the challenges families and providers are facing because of this Republican health care crisis. I remain committed to fighting for an extension of the Affordable Care Act tax credits that people need to ensure they can afford health coverage and to shore up our health care system.”

“I am hearing every day from Rhode Islanders whose health care costs are skyrocketing,” said Congressman Seth Magaziner. “These rising costs not only hurt working people, they strain community health centers that are already stretched thin. It’s time for Republicans in Congress to stop playing games and extend Affordable Care Act funding before more people are priced out of coverage.”

“We are grateful to have met with Representatives Magaziner and Amo today. In January, Rhode Island’s eight community health centers will see a sharp increase in the number of patients who are uninsured. Initially this will be due to the Affordable Care Act tax credits ending and will accelerate as federal Medicaid eligibility restrictions are implemented. At the same time, federal funding for health centers has expired, and other revenue sources are decreasing. We are in challenging times and acknowledge the support Representatives Magaziner and Amo have consistently shown for health centers, their employees, and the more than 220,000 Rhode Islanders who rely on health centers for their care.” said Elena Nicolella, President and CEO of the Rhode Island Health Center Association.  

Representatives from local Rhode Island community health centers in attendance included Merrill Thomas, CEO Providence Community Health Centers; Cristy Pacheco, CEO Blackstone Valley Community Health Care; Chuck Jones, CEO Thundermist Health Center; Chris Mansfield, CEO Comprehensive Community Action Agency; Alison Croke, CEO Wood River Health; Elena Nicolella, CEO & President of the RI Health Center Association; and Jesse Shipley, COO of East Bay Community Action Program.

The lawmakers and local health care leaders discussed the devastating impact that these cuts will have on both patients facing higher costs and the stability of Rhode Island’s entire health care system.

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