Amendment #154 to H4617

Special Commission on Non-Ambulatory Medical Transportation for Veterans

Ms. Matias of Lawrence moves to amend the bill by inserting the following section:

"SECTION  XXX.  There shall be a special commission on Non-Ambulatory Medical Transportation for Veterans which shall make an investigation and study relative to the need for medical transportation services for veterans that are residents of the commonwealth. The commission shall consist of 3 members of the senate, 1 of whom shall be the senate chair of the joint committee on public health, 1 of whom shall be the senate chair of the joint committee on veterans affairs,  and 1 of whom shall be a member of the minority party to be appointed by the minority leader of the senate; provided however, that 1 such member of the senate shall be designated as co-chair of the commission; 3 members of the house of representatives, 1 of whom shall be the house chair of the joint committee on public health, 1 of whom shall be the house chair of the joint committee on veteran affairs, and 1 of whom shall be a member of the minority party who shall be appointed by the minority leader of the house; provided, however, that 1 such member of the house shall be designated as co-chair of the commission; the commissioner of public health, or a designee; the secretary of the department of veteran services, or a designee; a representative appointed by the Massachusetts Medical Society; a representative appointed by the American Heart Association; a representative of the Disabled American Veterans Department of Massachusetts;  a representative appointed by Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers; a representative appointed by the American Cancer Society; a representative appointed by the Massachusetts Hospital Association; and 3 persons to be appointed by the governor with relevant experience in veteran serving organizations.

The commission shall investigate and review the need for non-emergency veteran transportation for both VA and non-VA medical appointments. The commission shall study geographic areas of the commonwealth to demonstrate the need for medical transportation for veterans, and determine the best methods and principles for funding veteran medical transportation programs for municipalities and state agencies. The department of public health may provide staff and other resources as the commission considers appropriate. The special commission shall report to the general court the results of its investigation and study and its recommendations, if any, together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry those recommendations into effect, by filing the same with the clerks of the senate and house of representatives not later than December 31, 2020.”