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Medicaid recipients want better transportation services

Posted at 7:52 PM, Dec 12, 2017
and last updated 2017-12-12 23:15:46-05

TULSA -- It's known that Medicaid recipients use SoonerRide or Tulsa Transit to get to and from places, most of the time to doctors appointments. But some patients are claiming wait times are astronomical.

You won’t catch Benji Davis without Gracie by her side. The golden retriever has been a service for for seven years. 

“She can open up the refrigerator, get clothes out of the dryer and put them in a basket," David said.

But Gracie can’t help get Davis to her doctor appointments, so she frequently uses SoonerRide. 

“That’s the only way for us to get to the doctor," Davis said.

Davis claims not every time has been pleasant. 

“I was left at the doctor’s office for four hours waiting on them," she said.

SoonerRide partners with LogistiCare to set up transportation. 

LogistiCare issued a statement to 2 Works for You regarding members' complaints saying, “At LogistiCare, every member and ride matters, and we appreciate this being brought to our attention. Member complaints about transportation providers are something we take very seriously. To that end, we have initiated a thorough investigation to learn more about the issues and will implement corrective actions with our transportation providers as needed."

Davis says it doesn’t stopped there.

“I quit using the lift because of the problems I was having," she said. "I’ve had drivers tell me to shut up when I’m trying to talk to them. I’ve been stuck in the bus in the heat without air conditioning.”

Mike Harris agrees. 

“They had picked me up at 8:30 in the morning for a 10:00 appointment," he said. "They didn’t come get me until 11:15 p.m. I probably called them a dozen times.”

Tulsa Transit sent 2 Works for You this statement saying, "We promptly and thoroughly investigate reported problems, rarely have complaints about driver language and will-call customers are told waits can be up to three hours during high demand periods.” 

“I’d like go places," Davis said.

As Davis takes Gracie on her daily walk, she wonders what other options are left.

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