By Debbie Rogers
COVID funds could connect Wood County residents with transportation.
At the May meeting, the Wood County Board of Health approved a resolution contracting with transportation providers and the United Way to provide COVID-related transportation support in Wood County.
This must have a “clear COVID link,” Robison said.
“This would allow individuals to seek transportation if they have any symptom that could be from COVID, and to be able to get assessment treatment from a doctor’s office or a pharmacy,” he said.
There’s a cap of $60 per trip. The funding would provide about 3,500 trips over course of the contract.
“It will take time … to get this off the ground,” Robison said.
Transportation will be provided at $60 per one-way trip to allow individuals who cannot transport themselves to obtain assessment and treatment for illness that could be or is confirmed to be COVID. Providers will ensure proper use of PPE during the trip and disinfection following the trip. The term will begin upon execution of the contract and continue through July 31, 2024. The total costs for these contracts will not exceed $250,000.
The resolution provides $37,500 to the United Way to support screening for eligibility and scheduling of trips, and $212,500 collectively to all transportation providers that participate in this program.
“I think this is really an important public health need and I’m really pleased we’re going to be able to pilot this program,” said board member Bob Midden.
Board member Richard Strow asked if the transportation could be used for issues other than COVID.
“Would it be helpful for someone that would not necessarily normally take an ambulance or call 911, but would have some reason, that something developed today, that they would see a doctor … like a dog bite or tick bite,” Strow said.
“Unfortunately, this pool of funding has to have some intersection with COVID,” Robison said. “This could cover transportation to a doctor’s office for headaches, nausea, runny nose, fatigue, fever, sore throat.
“We’re going to be able to cover a lot of illnesses. Someone that has a tick bite and has those symptoms simultaneously would be able to call for a ride.”
This will also allow health officials to really see what the transportation need is in the county, Robison said.
“And then when we see what the magnitude is, we can try to find a good way to fund that,” Midden said. “At least it’s a start.”
In other COVID business, Robison reported that the national emergency has ended.
There is still a substantial amount of federal vaccines available, he said.
“As long as those vaccines remain available within the community, there is no cost for those vaccines,” Robison said.
The eight free tests per month are no longer available through private insurance and Medicare, he said.
“There are still tests available through us, through a series of channels, national organizations,” Robison said.
In other transportation business, the board approved a memorandum of understanding with Wood County Net-Plus Transportation Services between Wood County Job and Family Services, Children’s Resource Center, Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services, the health district and Wood County Commissioners.
Net-Plus provides non-emergency transportation services for Wood County residents for medical health appointments. Invoicing will be divided equally (50% to each entity) for any non-emergency medical transportation services deemed ineligible for other funding sources.
This agreement will be in effect from July 1, 2023-June 30, 2026.
Also at the meeting, the board:
• Granted a private home sewage treatment system variance for 29527 E. Broadway St., Lake Township. The variance is permitted by the Ohio Department of Health Home Sewage Treatment System Rules. The variance request was made by the homeowner for a replacement home sewage treatment system that does not meet length along contour requirements due to space restriction and poor drainage.
• Approved an agreement between the health department and Bowling Green State University for $10,000. This agreement will allow BGSU to complete mosquito surveillance required under the Ohio EPA mosquito control grant agreement that the health department was awarded.
