80% COAST funding lost

Medicaid transports only after July

Jana Mathia | Jul 23, 20200

COAST was informed yesterday that all its funding from the Washington State Department of Transportation’s Public Transportation Division was being cut, a loss of $266,000.

“We are still just catching our breath on this. It means a very dramatic change in our business, and a loss of rides for many, many people,” Paige Collins, Council on Aging & Human Services executive director said after the announcement. COAST is the transportation division of the Council on Aging.

Craig VanTine, contracts and grants manager, was able to negotiate with WSDOT to get back a tiny bit of the funding, so the cut is now 80%. The addition means COAST will be able to cover rides scheduled for July. However, after the month is over, COAST will suspend all non-Medicaid transportation services in Whitman, Asotin and Garfield counties.

“Our biggest priority—no matter what—is continuing service for our dialysis clients,” Collins said.

Medicaid transports are only 25% of COAST’s total trips, leaving a large number of services the agency will not be able to provide. Rides that will be suspended for the next year include non-medicaid medical transportation, physical therapy, groceries and shopping, Whitman County food pantries, social services, counseling, adult day health, child visitations, elder family visitation, hospital discharges, transports to homeless or DV shelters, housing and energy assistance, jail releases, transportation to and from train stations, bus stations, airports and occasional school and work commutes.

In its notification of the funding reduction, WSDOT stated it is, “… aware that this is a significant reduction and will impact…service and customers.”

According to Collins, WSDOT did not give a specific reason from the cuts other than “lack of revenue.”

In 2019, COAST provided 9,184 trips for 1,200 people. In the second quarter of 2020, COAST provided 1,450 trips for 375 people which was half the amount during the same time the year prior.

The cuts should only affect COAST operations. The organization is looking at substantial reduction in work hours for paid drivers based in Washington. Collins hopes to keep admin staff working by shifting responsibilities.

“This is a time when we are thankful to have the good relationships we have with funders, donors and supporters. We are working very hard to fill this gap so that the effect will be minimal on our clients,” Collins said. “Any amounts of donations right now are amazing.” The cost for a paid driver to drive someone to Spokane and back for a specialty medical appointment, which is an almost daily occurance, is $250.

“This situation is certainly dire for our agency and for our clients who access crucial services and fill their basic needs because we at COAST are able to get them where they need to go,” Collins said.

Those wishing to donate can do so via http://www.coacolfax.org or call 397-4305.