WASHINGTON, D.C., – A broad group of 49 advocates and transportation stakeholders is urging Congress to oppose legislation that would allow states to eliminate non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) for all Medicaid beneficiaries including people with disabilities, children, older people eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid and dialysis patients.
The bill, H.R. 1394, would eliminate the requirement, in place since the program’s inception that ensures beneficiaries without access to transportation can travel to and from necessary healthcare services.
While the service is reserved for those most in need, the roughly ten percent of Medicaid beneficiaries that require assistance with transportation utilize it often to access chronic care or preventive services.