RI's Transportation Vendor Fails to Provide Service -- Even After Latest $600K Fine
GoLocalProv News Team
RI's Transportation Vendor Fails to Provide Service -- Even After Latest $600K Fine
Weeks after getting hit with a $600K fine stemming from a fatal accident that occurred on November 27, one Providence mom — who currently can’t walk — said she had been stood up three times now for rides to scheduled medical appointments.
“I broke my leg and ankle two months ago and I am currently relying on MTM to bring me to my doctor‘s appointments," said Yash Robinson. “Tuesday marked the third time that they have not picked me up for an appointment causing me to miss x-rays and follow-ups with my surgeons. I have never been contacted by MTM. No courtesy calls…nothing. Just stood up.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“So I have missed appointments with zero customer service. I have eleven steps that I need to be transported down and that is the reason why I have to rely on them. I am completely non-weightbearing,” Robinson continued. I’ve spoken to my doctors and they say that they have had this happen to many of their patients and they seem like they are just as fed up as I am but, the fact that they have the government contract keeps everyone’s hands tied.”
According to Kerri White at the RI Office of Health and Human Services, MTM’s current contract runs from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022, and MTM’s contract is made up of the following funding sources:
* TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families): $82.25 per person, per month
* ETP (Elderly Transportation Program): $340,000 for the year
“This is not really about me. I will eventually be able to walk I know I’ll get better. I really want to expose them because I know that people use this service long-term; the elderly, the disabled, etc,” said Robinson. “I can advocate for myself but I’m really upset because I know that there are others that they are getting away with doing this and more to people who can not advocate for themselves.”
Robinson said she had to put weight on her foot against doctor’s orders in order to get to her latest appointment.
“I actually risked getting hurt and even though I was told not to bear any weight on my broken ankle….. I did it anyway,” said Robinson. “This is the third time that they have ‘stood me up’ and I was desperate to find out how I was doing.”
MTM did not respond to request for comment.