Start Date
5-15-2025 9:30 AM
End Date
5-15-2025 11:30 AM
Description
Background
Since the 1960s, private, state sponsored, and charitable programs have attempted to increase transportation programs to improve healthcare access. Among these are the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) program, Pennsylvania’s Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP) benefiting Medicaid recipients, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Association’s (SEPTA) SEPTA Access (formerly known as CCT connect) for disabled and elderly people, and ModivCare, a social services corporation that offers non-emergency medical transportation for qualifying people with low incomes. The importance of these programs is emphasized by the body of evidence surrounding healthcare metrics and transportation access. A Robert Wood Johnson Foundation report demonstrated that over 20% of US adults forgo necessary medical treatment due to lack of transportation, while access to public transportation services reduces the likelihood of foregoing care. Other studies have shown similar findings, with lack of access to public transportation being linked to delays in seeking medical care and adverse medical outcomes. Despite the general consensus that transportation is an important determinant of healthcare access, systematic literature review demonstrates the need for rigorous evidence of the effect of subsidized public transit programs on healthcare outcomes.
Keywords
health equity, transportation access, refugee help
Project Proposal: The Impact of the Septa Zero Fare Program on Healthcare Access Among Philadelphia's Refugee and Migrant Population
Background
Since the 1960s, private, state sponsored, and charitable programs have attempted to increase transportation programs to improve healthcare access. Among these are the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) program, Pennsylvania’s Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP) benefiting Medicaid recipients, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Association’s (SEPTA) SEPTA Access (formerly known as CCT connect) for disabled and elderly people, and ModivCare, a social services corporation that offers non-emergency medical transportation for qualifying people with low incomes. The importance of these programs is emphasized by the body of evidence surrounding healthcare metrics and transportation access. A Robert Wood Johnson Foundation report demonstrated that over 20% of US adults forgo necessary medical treatment due to lack of transportation, while access to public transportation services reduces the likelihood of foregoing care. Other studies have shown similar findings, with lack of access to public transportation being linked to delays in seeking medical care and adverse medical outcomes. Despite the general consensus that transportation is an important determinant of healthcare access, systematic literature review demonstrates the need for rigorous evidence of the effect of subsidized public transit programs on healthcare outcomes.
Comments
Presented at the 2025 Jefferson Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit.