WILS has partnered with HealthTran to expand rural transportation options for Missourians in Benton and Henry counties to increase access to medical appointments, pharmacies, and other wellness needs.
HealthTran is a program administered by the Missouri Rural Health Association (MRHA) and aims to address rural transportation limitations and barriers to protect and improve the health of rural Missourians. HeathTran partners with community organizations like WILS to coordinate and schedule transportation to health and wellness visits. MRHA members can subscribe to the HealthTran program and have access to a one-stop scheduling platform to make arranging transportation for patients or customers simple and efficient. HealthTran members, Golden Valley Memorial Healthcare, and Katy Trails Community Health provide quality health care and will be helping patients with transportation barriers beginning January 2021.
“Community Champions like WILS are making a difference in communities across rural Missouri. Our partners are working to build stronger and healthier communities by improving access to health and wellness. When you consider the growing senior and disabled populations and the cost of nursing home care, it is imperative we create a network of support to keep people healthy, happy and at home. We are proud to announce WIL’s as part of the HealthTran network connecting health providers, employers, support programs and others with transportation options,” says Mary Gordon, Missouri Rural Health Association, HealthTran Director.
WILS welcomes HealthTran as an extension of their current transportation program. WILS offers transportation to individuals with disabilities in Benton, Henry, Johnson, Lafayette, Pettis, and Saline counties on a sliding fee scale. WILS also has Friend Assisted Rides, a program that allows transportation consumers to lessen the anxiety of appointments by riding with a friend, neighbor, or family member. WILS reimburses their consumers to pay mileage for the fuel costs to the driver of their choice.
WILS Director of Independent Living, Kathy Wyatt says, “WILS partnership with HealthTran provides a service that reduces limitations of rural transportation and improves access to health care, medicine, food, and well-being services. HealthTran provides support and coordination to link riders with transportation that meets their mobility needs. As the transportation provider, WILS provides the safe, convenient, affordable, and dependable transportation.”
As a Center for Independent Living (CIL), WILS strives to remove barriers and prejudices and empowers persons with disabilities to live independently. They are a consumer driven, non-residential, 501(c)3 nonprofit resource center that serves people with disabilities and their families.
For more information, please visit ruralhealthinfo.org, w-ils.org, or gvmh@w-ils.org.