WI

Provisions of the Proposed Regulations File Code CMS 2244 I am writing to express my concern about this proposal that would set up a system that would limit mileage payments to drivers for non-emergency doctor visits. Red Cliff has a clinic that is funded, in part, by Indian Health Service. Our medical mileage plan provides reimbursement to drivers who transport people for medical care that is not provided locally. Most of the time, such mileage is to see specialists. Red Cliff is a community that has 50% unemployment most of the time. The numbers go down during tourist season. Because of the high poverty and the isolation of this community, transportation to meet basic needs is always an issue. I don't believe that this bill takes into consideration the hardship that will be created by its passage. I doubt that the majority of lawmakers are aware of the existence of our community. If they are, they have no concept of what it's like to live here. Certainly, those who live here do so because of their right under the Treaty of 1854. I would hope that you would also research health statistics published by IHS. We are in the Bemidji Region.