Medicaid Program; State Flexibility for Medicaid Benefit

Department of Health and Human Services Attention CMS-2232-P Mail Stop C4-26-05 75 Security Boulevard Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850 March 20, 2008 Provisions to the Proposed CMS Rule My name is Nancy Potgeter, from Grand Rapids, MI. I strongly oppose the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed rule, file code CMS- 2232-P, which will allow states to eliminate non-emergency medical transportation as a benefit under Medicaid. This non-emergency transportation is essential in the delivery of health care to approximately 36 million Americans covered under Medicaid. Under this proposal, a large section of our population would need to bear the cost of this transportation, a burden many will not be able to manage. Without this benefit, most will have no transportation to doctor visits and other medical services. This proposed rule would limit access to treatment and the management of chronic illness and disease for the most vulnerable and underserved populations of our society. As a result, they will be forced to forgo medically necessary services required by their doctors. In the long run, eliminating Medicaid non-emergency transportation benefits, states will in actuality, be manifesting an already disadvantaged population forcing them into requiring expensive facility based care and hospital emergency rooms because they were unable to access necessary, preventative care or treatments. The cost to the state will be more expensive. I hope you feel compelled to stop this proposed rule (file code CMS-2232), as it will adversely impact many individuals of Medicaid healthcare services nationwide for those who so desperately need transportation. Sincerely, Nancy Potgeter 4688 Paramount NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525 Phone: 616-893-9735