WPRO News and the Associated Press
CRANSTON, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island’s Executive Office of Health and Human Services has received more than 400 complaints against the state’s new medical transport vendor in the first month of its contract.
Medical Transportation Management’s $115 million contract to ensure low-income individuals have rides to medical appointments began Jan. 1.
Witnesses testified during a House Oversight Committee hearing Thursday that patients have missed appointments for chemotherapy, dialysis and methadone treatments due to MTM’s scheduling.
Melanie Langlois tells WPRI-TV she was still waiting for a ride from MTM four hours after her appointment ended last Wednesday.
She says she wants the state to cut ties with MTM and find “somebody who is more efficient.”
MTM CEO Alaina Macia issued an apology Thursday and said the company is working to resolve issues.
A spokesman for Governor Gina Raimondo told WPRO’s Tara Granahan in an emailed statement that “the issues Rhode Islanders are experiencing with MTM’s service are unacceptable. This program is a vital link to care, meals and social supports, and the administration will stop at nothing to ensure MTM delivers the high-quality service Rhode Islanders deserve.”
