Representative Serpa Honored by LeadingAge RI for Advocacy on Behalf of Seniors

Rhode Island Representative Patricia A. Serpa has been honored with the “Making a Difference Award” for her advocacy and leadership at LeadingAge RI’s annual conference and trade show.

Representative Serpa was recognized at the March 22nd event by LeadingAge RI for her leadership position as chair of the House Oversight Committee where she has advocated for the needs of care providers and consumers during the Unified Health Infrastructure Project (UHIP) rollout. Launched in September, the $364 million UHIP system has encountered substantial technical problems, resulting in long waiting periods for payments and approvals for those working in (and those utilizing) state social servIces, including long-term care for the frail and elderly.

“Representative Serpa convened a series of hearings that allowed for our voice to be heard, resulting in our member-providers finally getting a meaningful response from the state,” said LeadingAge RI Director Jim Nyberg. “In addition, the legislation she sponsored now requires that providers be paid when a Medicaid application is pending for more than 90 days. While UHIP remains a work in progress, the work of Representative Serpa helped give our non-profit providers the chance to serve everyone in need of care while remaining financially viable.”

“I am deeply honored to be recognized in this way by LeadingAge RI,” said Representative Serpa, who has investigated the problem-riddled UHIP rollout in her capacity as chairwoman of the House Oversight Committee. “I will continue to serve as an advocate for all the various facets of long-term care, such as non-profit nursing homes, assisted living residences, senior housing providers and adult day centers. I hope we can make some progress in terms of getting these providers paid.”

Patricia A. Serpa, (D) has represented District 27 in West Warwick, Coventry and Warwick since first being elected in November 2006. Representative Serpa holds a master’s degree in education from Providence College and bachelor’s degree in the same study from Mount St. Joseph College. She lives in West Warwick.

LeadingAge RI (leadingageri.org) was founded in 1989 and represents a continuum of over long-term care providers in Rhode Island, including not-for-profit nursing homes, assisted living facilities, senior housing providers, and PACE as well as adult day health centers, employing over 1,000 professionals and caring for 3,000 elderly clients. The mission of the association is to expand the world of possibilities for aging.