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The Intersection Between Rural Health Care and Transportation. Valerie Miller Medical Transportation Specialist Community Transportation Association of America miller@ctaa.org. When health care is provided but the patient can’t access it, is it really health care?.
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The Intersection Between Rural Health Care and Transportation Valerie Miller Medical Transportation Specialist Community Transportation Association of America miller@ctaa.org
When health care is provided but the patient can’t access it, is it really health care? Is transportation any good if we don’t take people where they need to go?
Especially in rural areas, when the two intersect, better health outcomes result • Transportation solutions come from collaborations , combined funding and resources and coordination
Transportation Resources are only a click away • http://www.apta.com/links/state_local/ by state and by county transportation • http://www.ctaa.org/arc click on United We Ride Ambassadors • www.eldercare.gov for senior service transportation • www.cancer.org for the American Cancer Society • Or call your metropolitan planning organization to see if they work with transportation coordination in the area.
What can be done to make the connection work better? • Health care and transportation working together can make the outcome more successful • Transportation can be when it is needed • Transportation can be where it is needed • Transportation can be more affordable
South Dakota Project • Public Transit in Pierre South Dakota • Hospital in Pierre South Dakota • American Cancer Society Midwest Division • SDDOT
Health professionals and transportation professionals • All worked together to form a pilot project to schedule medical trips for cancer treatment geographically so long distance medical transportation needs could be served. • Team meets monthly to continue outreach to patients and to insure transportation routes are on appropriate days • Group is identifying new ways to expand to other areas
Don’t let the intersection turn into a dead end. • Rural medical transportation is not a sure thing. The need is growing. • As our population ages, more people rely on some means of transportation to have access to medical care. • In order that this transportation receives the necessary funding to exist, it is important to continue to educate those around us to make them aware of the need.
Health care and Transportation • The intersection of collaboration and coordination • We have to work together for healthy communities
Valerie Miller • Community Transportation Association of America • Medical Transportation Specialist • 202 294 2212 • miller@ctaa.org • www.ctaa.org