US DOT announces $6.3M funding to improve access to healthcare

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced the availability of $6.3 million in competitive grant funds for transit coordination projects that improve access to healthcare. A Notice of Funding Opportunity is on display at the Federal Register.

FTA’s Access and Mobility Partnership Grants focus on transportation solutions to medical appointments and other non-emergency healthcare services. The grants will help improve options for people with limited transportation choices and bridge the gap between service providers in the transportation and health sectors.

"The FTA is encouraging partnerships between public transportation agencies and the healthcare industry to support those who are transit-dependent," said FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams.

The program emphasizes transportation solutions through better coordination among healthcare providers and transit agencies through technological improvements. For example, transit riders in St. Louis can receive rapid health screenings from a mobile health unit and request referrals to medical providers at four MetroLink stations as a result of an FTA grant.

The program supports the work of the inter-agency Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM), which works to coordinate federal programs to improve access to jobs, schools, healthcare, and other opportunities.

FTA’s Access and Mobility Partnership Grants represent two programs: the Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility (ICAM) Pilot Program that supports projects focused on non-emergency healthcare travel needs and FTA’s Human Services Coordination Research program, which funds research to reduce gaps in services to provide safe, affordable and reliable mobility options to seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income individuals. In 2016, FTA awarded Access and Mobility grants to 19 projects in 16 states.

About FTA

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) provides financial and technical assistance to local public transit systems, including buses, subways, light rail, commuter rail, trolleys and ferries. FTA also oversees safety measures and helps develop next-generation technology research.