BILL NUMBER: S3086

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 the adoption of the centralized nonemergency medical transporta-
tion (NEMT) manager system in New York State, many rural counties have
experienced 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 transpor-
tation 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 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.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2023-2024: S.1700 referred to Health/A.4097 referred to Health

2021-2022: S.2234 referred to Health

2019-2020: S.2918 referred to Health/A.380 referred to Ways and Means

2017- 2018: S.4533 referred to Health/ A.1918 referred to Ways and Means

2016: S.6755 passed Senate/A.9602 reported referred to Ways and Means

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

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.