As a Medicaid recipient and a parent in Washington State, I've struggled time and again to secure reliable transport for my children's medical appointments. In my case, the challenge has been getting my children to their doctors' appointments despite living on a bus line, which ought to qualify me for Paratransit medical transport services. Instead, we were denied these necessary services. The 90-minute bus ride each way is an unnecessary burden for families like mine who are trying to manage our healthcare effectively.

Paratransit is supposed to provide vital, non-emergency transport for patients with Medicaid, yet it continues to fall short in delivering this essential service. The current system is convoluted and difficult for patients to navigate successfully, which contributes to a high no-show rate for appointments. This failure not only exacerbates many health problems but also causes financial strain on the Medicaid system and taxpayers.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, more than 6 million Medicaid patients miss or delay medical care each year due to transportation issues. This assertion underscores the urgency of revisiting and revising the effectiveness of our medical transport services.

We cannot continue to allow this cycle of missed appointments and worsening health conditions among Washington's most vulnerable populations due to mismanaged transportation services. We seek comprehensive reform of Paratransit to ensure its commitment to facilitating effective transportation for all Medicaid patients.

Please stand with us in demanding that Paratransit medical transport services in Washington State be evaluated and improved to better serve the needs of all its patients. Improve our access, ease our journeys, and keep our healthcare moving forward. Sign our petition today.