Provides that where the commissioner of health assumes the responsibility for the transportation of medicaid recipients in rural areas, existing public transportation systems shall be used when such systems are appropriate, available and the least expensive modes of transportation.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A3213
SPONSOR: Santabarbara 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
counties, 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 legis-
lation 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:
2022: S.2234 referred to Health
2021: S.2234 referred to Health
2020: S.2918 referred to health/A.380 referred to Ways and Means
2019: S.2918 referred to Health/A.380 referred to Health
2018: S.4533 referred to Health A.1918 referred to Ways and Means
2017: S.4533 committed to Rules/A.1918 referred to Health
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.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
3213
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 23, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. SANTABARBARA -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Health
AN ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to the transporta-
tion of eligible persons residing in a rural area
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Subdivision 4 of section 365-h of the social services law
2 is amended by adding a new paragraph (c) to read as follows:
3 (c) Where the commissioner of health elects to assume such responsi-
4 bility from a local social services district, and after any required
5 federal approval, authorized transportation for an eligible person,
6 whose originating location exists within a county defined as a rural
7 area pursuant to subdivision seven of section four hundred eighty-one of
8 the executive law, shall be assigned to an existing public transporta-
9 tion system, as defined in subdivision one of section eighteen-b of the
10 transportation law, if that system provides an appropriate, available
11 and least expensive mode of transportation.
12 § 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall
13 have become a law; provided, however, that the amendments to subdivision
14 4 of section 365-h of the social services law, made by section one of
15 this act, shall not affect the expiration and repeal of such section,
16 and shall expire and be deemed repealed therewith.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06274-01-5
