Dept. of Health Professional Staff mobilize, create Policy Task Force

By: PSA @ RIDOH Policy Task Force NEARI Member

Published: March 4, 2025

Key Takeaways

The Rhode Island Department of Health is 60% federally-funded, which poses significant concerns about our 320 members’ job security and the ability of the State to respond to public health threats.
NEARI/PSA @RIDOH has established a Policy Task Force to mobilize members to advocate against federal policies that harm public health and our members.
Stand Up for Science Rally at the RI Statehouse March 7, 12-4pm

The NEARI Professional Staff Association at the Rhode Island Department of Health (NEARI/PSA @RIDOH) held a special meeting last week to discuss current and potential impacts from the dramatic changes in federal policies and funding priorities. The Thursday evening meeting drew 119 members who are concerned about how funding cuts could hurt their jobs, families, and the people they serve. The Rhode Island Department of Health is 60% federally-funded, which poses significant concerns about our 320 members’ job security and the ability of the State to respond to public health threats.

Our membership includes disease detectives, laboratory scientists, and many other public health professionals. Public health is an essential public safety service and deserves the same respect as other first responders. Our members conduct outreach to educate Rhode Islanders about ways to prevent disease. We confront infectious diseases, hazardous environments in homes and healthcare, respond to public health threats and emergencies, and help defend our state against the spread of both acute and chronic diseases. This important work saves lives and reduces business costs through increased workplace productivity.

We’re mobilizing to keep science free from interference and censorship by government officials. We’re also mobilizing because attacks on diversity, equity, inclusion, and access are attacks on science, and vice versa. Science is at its best when it includes everyone and when it stands to improve people’s lives. It’s time – as ever – to stand up for science, for everyone who does it, and for everyone who benefits from it.

NEARI/PSA @RIDOH has established a Task Force with the mission of identifying opportunities to mobilize members to advocate against federal policies that harm public health and our members. We encourage NEARI members to submit feedback to the Governor’s Office advocating for the State to properly invest in RIDOH, public health, education, and other priorities included in the Governor’s RI 2030 plan.

In addition, the Action Committee will be identifying ways to push for additional State funding. Members discussed legislation (H5473/S329), the NEARI-supported “Millionaires Tax” or “1% Tax,” that could help bridge federal funding cuts and provide more state revenue to potentially support the State’s public health infrastructure. Learn more at https://revenueforri.org/.

It is also important for members of the public and elected officials to understand the value of science and public health, and oppose political interference in scientific endeavors and anti-science policies and funding cuts being enacted and proposed. To that end, we are supporting the Rhode Island Stand Up for Science Rally at the State House this Friday, March 7 from 12-4 pm. Please join us for all or part of the time

About the Rhode Island Stand Up for Science Rally

The Rhode Island Stand Up for Science rally is one of 32 Stand Up For Science rallies being held March 7 in Washington, DC and state capitals nationwide. Read the Stand Up for Science policy goals for more details. Our main goal is to send a unifying message that reasonable Americans from across the political spectrum support.

WHO: Everyone! Your life is better because of science and this rally is for you.
WHERE: Rhode Island State House, South Lawn, facing Providence Place Mall (other rallies held in Washington, DC and state capitals nationwide)
WHEN: Friday, March 7, 12-4 p.m.
WHAT: Rhode Islanders and Americans nationwide are supporting a series of rallies to defend science as a public good and central pillar of social progress. Learn more about Stand Up for Science 2025 policy goals.
WHY: Science is for everyone – and benefits everyone. When the federal government supports scientific research through taxpayer funding, it fuels innovation, creates jobs, and sustains the world we live in. From purified water to the polio vaccine to the cell phone you might be reading this on, science has significantly impacted our lives in countless ways.

We encourage fellow NEARI members (including educators and anyone who values science) to:

Attend the rally on 3/7 (even if you can just attend for part of the time)!
Distribute fliers. You can find downloadable flyers that can be printed and posted on social media here.
Reach out to the Stand Up for Science RI organizing committee at [email protected] if you are interested in learning more, joining the committee, or want to share any ideas or support.