Audubon Area Community Services is again able to provide free medical transportation through their GRITS program after they had to temporarily discontinue the service due to budget cuts from a lack of federal funding.
Officials said GRITS offered free medical transport to veterans for years until near the end of former Gov. Matt Bevin’s administration, when Medicaid stopped providing the funds needed to continue the program. During a virtual meeting with Daviess County Judge-Executive Al Mattingly, Audubon Area Transportation Director Dan Lanham explained the financial setbacks faced by transportation departments across the state during that time.
“During the previous governor’s administration, the Medicaid [dollars] — which counts for a large portion of our operation — got very, very, very tight,” Lanham said. “That made us do a lot of things we weren’t happy about.”
The $16 million dollar transportation budget was cut to $13 million, Lanham noted, causing his staff to cut much-needed programs.
Medicaid stepped its funding back up to “acceptable levels” during Gov. Andy Beshear’s administration, Lanham said, putting Audubon Area’s transportation department in a financial position that allowed them to offer the service again.
“A veteran who needs transportation to a doctor’s appointment or a clinic — we’re going to provide transportation free of charge to them,” Lanham said. “That’s our way of paying back what they’ve done for us.”
Mattingly commended Lanham for bringing the program back for those who’d made the ultimate sacrifice in serving their country.
“Many of our veterans suffer traumatic residual effects,” Mattingly said. “It’s extremely important that we continue to keep our vow to them. You protected us, we’re going to protect you.”
To contact GRITS, call 270-686-1651 or 800-816-3511.
