Rep. Barca Testifies About Problems Plaguing Privatized Medical Transportation Program, Will Offer Alternative
Rep. Barca Requested Audit in Response to Constituent Concerns
MADISON – Today Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) testified before the joint audit committee regarding ongoing issues at the state’s troubled non-emergency medical transportation program. Rep. Barca and 54 other legislative offices requested the audit after constantly receiving complaints about the program from riders under both Logisticare and Medical Transportation Management Inc. (MTM).
“It is clear that our medical transportation program is in need of a serious overhaul to ensure the needs of our residents are being met and taxpayers are getting the best deal possible,” Rep. Barca said. “I ask my legislative colleagues to join me in considering alternatives that can better serve the Wisconsinites that rely on this service.”
In response to the audit and hearing, Rep. Barca said today that he will work with Sen. Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alma) and others to propose an alternative model for providing non-emergency medical transportation. Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee indicated they would support changes to the system, and most Republican legislators voted to remove several counties from the MTM system as part of their state budget.
Rep. Barca led a bipartisan group of 54 legislators to request the audit following frequent constituent complaints – the third request made in the past two years. Rep. Barca has heard repeatedly from his constituents that there are serious issues with the program. The people who rely on the medical transport program are often children, elderly or have serious health conditions. Some require time-sensitive treatments like dialysis, yet they are often late to appointments or abandoned at appointments without a ride.
“Some of Wisconsin’s most vulnerable residents depend on medical transport and I find it completely unacceptable that the state is providing substandard services,” Rep. Barca added. “I look forward to working with Sen. Vinehout and others to put together an alternative proposal to provide transportation to those in need.”
A copy of Rep. Barca’s testimony to the committee is available here.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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