Last week, we achieved a milestone in our efforts at the Federal Transit Administration to find ways to help people who lack reliable transportation to their healthcare appointments.
I’m pleased to highlight the awarding of $7.3 million in funding through FTA’s new Rides to Wellness grants to 19 projects in 16 states. These projects will go far toward helping solve the challenge of improving healthcare access in this country.
As part of the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) efforts to provide people with better transportation options to visit the doctor and access other non-emergency health services, I hosted a meeting late last month of the Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM).
After sharing ideas with a diverse group of colleagues from across the federal government, I am confident that we have set a path to improve the availability, quality, and delivery of transportation services relating to healthcare.
Our nation is undergoing a significant demographic shift. By 2050, the number of Americans aged 65 and older will more than double, while those 85 and older could increase fivefold. This population can face challenges that include increased poverty, isolation, and difficulty accessing medical care.
DOT has long been committed to helping older Americans continue to live with dignity in urban and rural communities alike by making a special effort to meet the transportation and mobility needs of America’s seniors.