Senate Bill S2918

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S2918

SPONSOR: HELMING
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the social services law, in relation to the transporta-
tion of eligible persons residing in a rural area

 
PURPOSE:

This bill directs the commissioner of health to assign Medicaid-reim-
bursed nonemergency medical transportation to public transit where the
rider's originating location exists within a rural county, and that
public transit system is available, appropriate for the rider, and the
least expensive mode of transportation.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 establishes that where the commissioner of health assumes
responsibility for transportation of Medicaid recipients in rural coun-
ties, a public transportation system shall be prioritized for assignment
              

where the system is available, appropriate, and the least expensive
means.

Section 2 sets forth the effective date, which is thirty days after
becoming law.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Since adoption of the centralized nonemergency medical transportation
(NEMT) manager system in New York State, many rural counties have expe-
rienced a sharp decrease in ridership and associated revenue to their
public transportation systems. As a result, many counties have reduced
or eliminated routes. Frequently, the most rural areas of these systems
are affected first. In Tioga County, the entire public transportation
system has been discontinued indefinitely.

It is well-established that access to public transportation is critical
to the health and economic vitality of our communities. It is upon this
fundamental perspective that the federal United We Ride initiative and
movements in mobility management emerged. After so much hard work to
establish public transportation systems in rural areas of the State,
rural communities should not be left behind now.  Some of the most
vulnerable populations-including those relying on NEMT services-need
public transportation to support their overall health and welfare, go to
work, attend school, pick up prescriptions at a pharmacy, or buy food at
a grocery store.

To ensure that public transportation systems in rural counties continue
to be prioritized in rider assignment, this legislation will require
assignment to public transportation systems where the rider originates
from a rural county, a route is available, the vehicle is medically
appropriate, and the service provides the least expensive transportation
option.

This legislation is critical for increasing ridership on and revenue to
public transportation systems in rural counties. This legislation will
also prioritize the use of public transportation and maintain rider
familiarity with public transportation systems. As a result, this legis-
lation will increase their mobility and emphasize the importance of
these systems within rural communities.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2017-2018: S.4533 referred to Health/A.1918 referred to Ways and Means.
2016: S.6755 passed Senate/A.9602 referred to Ways and Means.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

An overall cost savings to the State is anticipated, where public trans-
portation is utilized at lower reimbursement rates than other modes of
transportation currently being assigned.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
30 days after enactment.