Health Care Providers Seek More Funds to Transport Low-income Patients - Transit Empowerment Fund

Three months into a pilot program, Austin health care providers are looking for more funding to deliver patients to and from medical appointments with a local ride-share company.

Community Care Collaborative, Central Health’s nonprofit partnership with Seton Healthcare Family, has partnered with RideAustin to provide free transportation to and from appointments for patients who can’t afford or access traditional means of transportation.

Since the pilot program began in January, it has given 759 rides to 149 patients within Travis County, officials said Tuesday.

The program is funded by a $50,000 grant from the Transit Empowerment Fund, allowing the collaborative to cover the cost of the rides for their patients. Twenty-five percent of the grant money has been spent, and is expected to run out in December, officials said.

The fund is supported by the Capital Metro Transportation Authority and other community donors and managed by the Austin Community Foundation.