Relates to the interagency coordinating committee on rural public transportation

2 Co-sponsors

• Thomas F. O'Mara
• Catharine Young

BILL NUMBER:S7222

Title of bill

An act to amend the social services law and the transportation law, in relation to the interagency coordinating committee on rural public transportation

Purpose

Provides counties the right of first refusal to coordinate Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation and encourage the use of public transit where viable.

Summary of provisions

Section one amends the social services law to provide that contracts between the State and transportation managers for Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation require that managers offer counties the option of coordinating transportation services and that the use of public transportation be prioritized to the maximum extent practicable.

Section two amends transportation law to modify the composition of the Interagency coordinating committee on rural public transportation and require that the committee (1) report to the Executive and the Legislature on the management of Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation on a biannual basis; (2)examine reimbursement rates developed by transportation managers and submit recommendations for proposed and effective rates for rural counties to the Commissioner of the Department of Health, and: (3) require the Commissioner to consult with the committee prior to approval of Medicaid reimbursement rates for rural Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation.

Justification

State efforts to change the way that Medicaid transportation is delivered is having an unintended impact on public transportation, especially in rural counties in upstate New York.Recently, the State has adopted a policy where a single private broker is contracted to arrange non- emergency medical trips for most New York counties.While the broker attempts to provide the necessary transportation in an easy to schedule manner many of the trips that were previously served by public transportation systems are now provided by taxis and other low occupancy vehicles - despite the availability of viable public transportation options that would better meet their needs.

This growing loss in funding for Medicaid reimbursed trips coupled with a corresponding loss in state transit operating assistance is resulting in reduced transit service to the public in many rural areas of the state and threatens the viability of public transportation in a number of counties.

Prior to this change, each county was responsible for arranging the necessary Medicaid funded transportation for its citizens. Often counties developed coordinated transit services that met not only the Medicaid transportation need, but also the transportation needs of other social service agencies and the general public.

Through offering counties the right of first refusal to coordinate services, this proposal will put transportation coordination back into the hands of those who know what works best within their region of the State be it Dial-a-Ride, fixed transit service or other modes.

Legislative history

This is new legislation.

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

Immediately.