PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island’s top human services official has stepped down amid concerns over the botched rollout of the state’s public benefits system.
Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo confirmed Tuesday that she had accepted the resignation of Secretary of Health and Human Services Elizabeth Roberts.
Raimondo said it was Roberts’ decision to leave the administration. But the governor added that Roberts, a former lieutenant governor, understood the challenges the state faced with United Healthcare Infrastructure Project and that a “fresh set of eyes” was needed.
“Elizabeth Roberts has dedicated the last two decades of her professional and personal life to public service, and I commend her commitment to the people of our state,” said Governor Raimondo. “She has fought her entire career to expand access to affordable health care for more people. As my Secretary of Health and Human Services, Elizabeth played a key role in our successful efforts to drive Rhode Island’s uninsured rate to one of the lowest in the nation while reducing costs. At this time however, it has become clear that the challenges faced by UHIP require new leadership. As Governor, I am committed to doing whatever is needed to get this fixed for the people of Rhode Island.”
Two other state officials, Department of Human Services Director Melba Depena Affigne and Chief Digital Officer Thom Guertin, resigned earlier this month and the state announced it was suspending further payment to contractor Deloitte Consulting.
“It has been a tremendous honor to serve in Governor Raimondo’s administration over the past two years,” Roberts said in a statement. “With the Governor’s leadership, we have set Rhode Island’s Medicaid program on a sustainable path to provide high-quality, affordable healthcare for the nearly one in three Rhode Islanders we serve. Across our state’s public health and human service agencies, we have also put significant reforms in place to provide better care, services and outcomes for some of our most vulnerable community members. I am committed to supporting the administration during and after the transition to new leadership.”
Technical problems plaguing the $364 million computer system caused thousands of delays in distributing food stamp benefits.
