We need your help to ensure that the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline remains fully funded and available to everyone in Rhode Island. 988 is an unfunded federal mandate, meaning the federal government requires states to provide this critical service but does not provide the money to support it.
Horizon Healthcare Partners, a consortium of six behavioral healthcare agencies, including Newport Mental Health, is trying to fix this with passage of the 988 Long-Term Funding Bill. This bill would stabilize 988 funding using a portion of the existing fees collected on mobile phone bills; specifically the 911 and first responder surcharges. These fees are already collected by the state to support emergency services, so this bill would fund 988 without creating any new taxes or fees.
Last session, the bill passed the Senate but stalled in the House. Now is the time to act to pass the bill in the next session.
The 988 calls in Rhode Island are answered by BH Link, part of Horizon Healthcare Partners, and operated by Community Care Alliance. Rhode Island boasts a 98% answer rate, one of the best in-state call answer rates in the country. (Calls not answered locally roll over to a national call center.) 988 may refer callers in Newport County to Newport Mental Health for mobile in-person support or follow-up care.
Without stable state funding, this vital service is at risk. Join us in urging lawmakers to pass the 988 Long-Term Funding Bill and protect this essential lifeline for all Rhode Islanders.
Please use the link below to find a digital platform with a pre-written letter that sends directly to your legislators. We encourage you to personalize the letter and urge them to pass this bill during the next session.