The directors of the department of human services, the office of healthy aging, the department of health, and the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals shall develop a five-year (5) Rhode Island long-term-care plan and recommended budget prior to January 1, 1998. In developing the plan, the directors shall seek input and comment from members of the public, consumers, and providers. The plan shall be based on the goals and objectives set forth in the long-term care coordinating council’s “Long-Term Care Plan for Rhode Island: 1995-2000” and shall incorporate at least the following:

(a)  Guiding principles:

(1)  Address and promote physical, mental, and psycho-social well-being.

(2)  Allow consumers to choose less restrictive and more cost-effective and appropriate settings for care.

(3)  Place emphasis on consumer choice and satisfaction.

(4)  Strive to ensure that all services are available as appropriate to needs and resources.

(5)  Base the plan on consumer needs, not provider needs.

(6)  Recognize that cost-effectiveness, efficiency, and quality of life are important to public and private-pay consumers.

(b)  Essential elements:

(1)  A long-term-care coordinator responsible for assisting persons to access long-term-care services shall be available to all communities.

(2)  A uniform screening and assessment shall be conducted for anyone seeking state-funded long-term-care assistance. The assessment shall be available to private pay consumers as well.

(3)  A consumer long-term-care information system shall be developed in collaboration with the long-term care coordinating council.