Son Forced to Wheel Medicaid Patient Through the Snow to Dialysis

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Son Forced to Wheel Medicaid Patient Through the Snow to Dialysis
Transportation Fails after State Hires LogistiCare

Updated: Thursday, 13 Jan 2011, 8:52 PM EST
Published : Thursday, 13 Jan 2011, 8:52 PM EST

By BILL GALLAGHER
WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WJBK) - A son is forced to push a wheelchair several city blocks through the snow to get a dialysis patient in for treatments. That is just one of the disturbing stories we're hearing about a new state transportation system for people on Medicaid.

For more than a week, patients around metro Detroit have complained about rides arriving late or not at all. The new system began January first, and Governor Snyder is promising to look into it, but people needing vital medical treatment say they can't wait.

"I'm at a dead end here. No legs and they tell me to walk? That (isn't) right. It's not. Don't tell people with no legs to walk," said Steven Czech.

He undergoes dialysis three times a week. The clinic is less than a mile from his home, but for more than a week, his son, John, has pushed his father in his wheelchair for treatments.

Steven is a diabetic, double amputee with congestive heart failure. He's on Medicaid, but since January first his transportation has failed.

FOX 2's Bill Gallagher asked him how his transportation was prior to that date.

"Excellent," he replied. "I got (there) every single day."

The state hired LogistiCare, a for-profit company, to plan and manage transportation for Medicaid patients in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties as part of a pilot program.

"They don't even call. They just don't show up," said John Czech, Steven's son.

Governor Snyder inherited the system from the previous governor and legislature.

A spokesperson for the governor said complaints are declining and LogistiCare is being monitored, adding non-ambulatory patients like Steve Czech should be provided transportation.

"You don't take things away from people when they're handicapped," Steven Czech said.

http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/local/son-forced-to-wheel-medicaid-patient-through-the-snow-to-dialysis-20110113-wpms