Thanks Lisa. I hope members wade in on this very important issue.
One of the most pressing issues for Individuals with disabilities obtaining work,training and retaining their jobs will be transportation.
Ohio has limited amount of countywide transportation in rural areas, over half of the counties in the state lack a system .
Taxi service is equally a challenge in most rural counties.
The rate has to match up costs of vehicles(accessible and regular) plus many insurance companies are being cautious of insuring our staff's vehicles for transportation where they receive payment for the transporting without a costly rider.
Prior transportation rates did multiply the rate by the number of occupants. Changed about 12 years ago.
Than

> On Jun 7, 2016, at 5:13 PM, Lisa Mathis <lmathis@opra.org> wrote:
>
> Dear OPRA Members,
>
> NMT rates and rules are once again under development. Please send me your NMT concerns and solutions to take to DODD. Some examples of what members have sent so far include:
>
> · Providers need flexibility in the type and size of vehicles used when providing services.
> -The current per trip for large vehicles is okay. What should a per trip rate be for smaller vehicles ?
> · Waiver Budget limitations must be increased to allow for frequent transportation to and from activities in the community if day providers are to comply with the CMS settings ruling.
> -Current HPC rates are too low
> · Rates must be developed that adequately compensate providers for driver time, wear and tear on vehicle, insurance, gas, and other transportation related costs.
> -The rates must be adequate for both urban and rural areas. Should there be different rates for rural and urban?
> - and my favorite from Than: "Multiplying rather than dividing would be the major area of improvement in the per mile rate"
>
> Than is sending me the
> Champaign County Transit transportation rates.
>
> Please send me any other info that you feel would be helpful.
>
> Most Respectfully,
> Lisa
>
> Lisa Mathis, Ph.D, C.R.C.
> Director of Employment and Health Services
> Ohio Provider Resource Association
> 1152 Goodale Boulevard
> Columbus, Ohio 43212
> Office: 614-224-6772
> Cell: 479-799-2711
> The Trusted Voice for Providers Serving Ohioans with Disabilities for Over 40 Years.
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