Letter to the Hon. Greg Walden, Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Frank Pallone, Jr., Ranking Member - Bishop Leads Letter In Support of Medicaid Transportation Services

Letter

Dear Chairman Walden and Ranking Member Pallone:

We are writing to express our concern about legislation (H.R. 1394) that would allow states to eliminate Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) for patients that are blind, elderly, or disabled.

As you may be aware, NEMT is an essential component of our nation's health care delivery system, especially in rural areas. According to a recent Kaiser study, over half of Medicaid transportation services are utilized by patients with the highest burden of chronic diseases, including those diagnosed with cancer, HIV, mental health and substance abuse disorders, and end-stage renal disease requiring kidney dialysis three times a week.

NEMT is utilized by roughly 10% of Medicaid enrollees and accounts for only 1% of total Medicaid spending. It is reserved for beneficiaries who have no other means of transportation to and from their medical appointments. State programs help to ensure the benefit is accessible only to those in need.

We believe that the elimination of NEMT would adversely impact both beneficiaries and state budgets. Studies have shown that the benefit has a significant return-on-investment as, over time, health care costs are reduced when patients have appropriate, non-emergency access to care. We would be grateful if you would oppose any attempt to eliminate or undermine Medicaid NEMT and hope that you would support the requirement for States to offer transportation to all Medicaid patients that have no other means to access health services.

Sincerely,

Rep. Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02)

Rep. Jim Cooper (TN-05)

Rep. Charlie Crist (FL-13)

Rep. Henry Cuellar (TX-28)

Rep. Vincent Gonzalez (TX-15)

Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05)

Rep. Daniel Lipinski (IL-03)

Rep. Tom O'Halleran (AZ-01)

Rep. Collin C. Peterson (MN-07)

Rep. David Scott (GA-13)

Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-09)