Peter Neronha has been outspoken at times during his eight years as Rhode Island attorney general. A frequent critic of Governor Dan McKee, Neronha has often taken to social media to voice his displeasure with state government and the state court system.
After serving two terms, Neronha is term-limited and cannot seek re-election. He sat down with Ocean State Media political reporter Ian Donnis to reflect on his tenure as Rhode Island’s chief law enforcement officer.
Interview highlights
On whether he thinks the Trump administration will intervene in the midterm elections
Peter Neronha: Yeah, I'm concerned. I think we're ready for whatever the Trump administration tries, much like we were when he took office for what he tried in the immediate wake of the election or his swearing-in and what followed. So we're ready. I think some of that could play out in Rhode Island, but I think it's more likely to play out (in) other places around the country. But whether it's working in concert with other attorneys general or working individually here at home, we'll be ready if there is any election interference.
On Rhode Island’s healthcare crisis
Neronha: We haven't moved quickly enough. We haven't been proactive enough. We haven't taken enough real action, but at least we're paying attention. I think in the next year, with a new speaker and a new governor, there's opportunity to think boldly. Government has to take that opportunity. The Senate has been strong here under the leadership of President (Val) Lawson. So I think there's an opportunity, but nibbling around the edges isn't going to fix it.
On the financial struggles of Roger Williams Medical Center and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital
Neronha: These hospitals (struggle financially) because of the way Rhode Island does reimbursement for healthcare and because we have a large Medicaid population. Because these hospitals serve a big part of that population, because the state hasn't invested enough in Medicaid reimbursement rates, those hospitals are always going to be challenged unless we change the fundamentals of how we pay for healthcare. I'm still concerned about those hospitals because they are safety net hospitals, which means they treat a vast majority of our state's less economically fortunate residents. Because of that, they're getting less money coming through the door because of the huge disparity between Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial rates.
I think we're going to know by early next year whether those hospitals will be able to function in the way they functioned in the past. That may be impossible. It may take some restructuring of the kind of services they deliver. Until we think more boldly about healthcare, these kinds of problems are going to continue to happen (and will) manifest themselves even in our biggest and best economically stable systems.
On the need to improve energy costs for Rhode Island consumers
Neronha: We need the kind of consumer watchdog role that we have done in this administration continued in the next. I think the Division of Public Utilities and carriers really need to step up in the next administration and have a better sense of what its role is, and frankly be skeptical of what big energy is promising us. Every piece of infrastructure that they put in, we ultimately have to pay for over time, and so they're always going to want to build more. If it's necessary, then okay, but let's be honest about what they're building and why. I think understanding energy and energy policy and being in a position to take on big energy companies like PPL (for) Rhode Island Energy is really going to be important going forward.
On his endorsement of Helena Foulkes for governor
Neronha: I've gotten… frustrated with how our state government is operating. It's just not aggressive enough for Rhode Islanders, not posing enough leadership. Helena Foulkes has the experience and the leadership and the smarts and the toughness to lead the state forward, and that's what's critical. She's answered to the best of her ability – as I see it – the opioid situation on her tenure (at CVS), and she's the one who should answer those questions, not me on her behalf. But what I'm looking for in our next governor is strong leadership, capable leadership, and I believe that Helena is the best person,by far, for that job.
On his proudest accomplishments in office
Neronha: There's a lot of things that I'm really grateful for. The (Roman Catholic) Diocese (of Providence) report took a long time to put together, but really impacted people's lives in a meaningful way. I've heard that. We've already talked about the work that we did to put that escrow in place that kept two hospitals open. (I’m also proud of ) doing some criminal justice reform initiatives. The list is long, and I'm proud of it.
