HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-366
RESOLUTION NO. 07-366
A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF CONTINUED
COORDINATION OF MEDICAID NON-EMERGENCY
TRANSPORTATION THROUGH FLORIDA'S COORDINATED
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
WHEREAS, the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners is the designated
Community Transportation Coordinator (CTC) for St. Lucie County; and
WHEREAS, the CTC provides non-emergency medical transportation to eligible persons
under the Medicaid and Transportation Disadvantaged Programs; and
WHEREAS, in 1979, the Legislature sought to improve access to transportation services
by coordinating all human service transportation under one entity, the CTC; and
WHEREAS, in 1979, the Legislature authorized Part I of Chapter 427, F.S. which
created the coordinated transportation system and the Florida Commission for the
Transportation Disadvantaged, both of which are award winning models for the rest of the
nation; and
WHEREAS, in 2004, the President of the United States signed Executive Order #13330
to develop, implement, and maintain a coordinated community transportation system throughout
the nation, which is essential for persons with disabilities, persons with low incomes, and older
adults who rely on such transportation to fully participate in their communities; and
WHEREAS, in 2004, the Medicaid Non-Emergency Transportation Program started its
own transportation reform program, and the Agency for Health Care Administration initiated a
fixed fee contract with the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged; and
WHEREAS, in 2005, the Legislature initiated a separate Medicaid Reform Pilot project to
begin in five counties, which included that Medicaid non-emergency transportation services be
administered by Provider Service Networks and Managed Care Organizations, rather than the
Community Transportation Coordinator; and
WHEREAS, when other providers are authorized to offer transportation services to
Medicaid beneficiaries, this creates fragmentation and duplication of services and confusion for
riders; and
WHEREAS, fragmentation of transportation services may cause economies of scale to
be lost and therefore raise the cost of transportation services to other state and federal
agencies; and
WHEREAS, a single point of entry to facilitate all mobility needs of the transportation
disadvantaged within the county is more efficient, less cumbersome, and citizen friendly; and
WHEREAS, the Community Transportation Coordinator already coordinates all
transportation services for Medicaid beneficiaries and other Transportation Disadvantaged
Programs; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of St. Lucie County, especially those who are elderly,
impoverished or medically needy, will experience negative outcomes if funding for medical
transportation is reduced due to the rising costs of fragmenting the coordinated transportation
system.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of 81.
Lucie County, Florida:
1. The Board urges the Legislature to support legislation that strengthens Part I of
Chapter 427, F.8. and continues the transportation reform efforts from 2004 for
the Medicaid Non-Emergency Transportation Program and requires the Agency
for Health Care Administration to maintain the fixed fee contract with the Florida
Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged.
2. The Board urges the Legislature to support legislation that requires that all state
agencies follow the same procedures for utilizing transportation services outside
of the coordinated transportation system.
3. The Board urges the Legislature to support restoration of the original contact
amount of $73 million in funding to fully operate the Medicaid Non-Emergency
Transportation Program and ensure it is coordinated through the Florida
Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged.
4. The County Administrator shall send a copy of this resolution to the Governor,
and the members of the 81. Lucie County Legislative Delegation.
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED THIS 20th DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2007.
ATTEST:
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ST LUCIE COU'J/fi1.RIDA
~tH~RMAN