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Public commenter urges state action after transportation contract shifts to for‑profit broker
Summary
Meredith Brostin told the council she and others are alarmed that a for‑profit broker has been awarded statewide non‑emergency medical transportation contracts, citing reported service failures and a prior Medicare fraud finding; she urged residents to contact state officials and legislators.
During public comment, Meredith Brostin, a long‑time Belfast resident and member of the Friends of Harriedale Hart, urged the council and community to push back after a state contract award for non‑emergency medical transportation.
Brostin said community‑based nonprofits that formerly provided brokerage or direct rides were replaced by a for‑profit broker she identified in reporting as providing inconsistent service across the state. She described cases in which patients were left at appointments and arrangements were subcontracted to ride‑share services. Brostin also cited an out‑of‑state Medicare‑fraud finding against the company and urged listeners to contact the governor and state representatives.
Brostin said the change ‘‘handed brokerage work to a for‑profit company’’ and that local nonprofit providers had historically delivered reliable service. She asked residents who have received transportation services to make their experiences known to state officials.
The council did not take formal action on the topic; staff did not respond with a substantive update at the meeting.
