1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to human services; requiring the commissioner 
  1.3             of human services to study the medical assistance 
  1.4             reimbursement rates for special transportation 
  1.5             providers. 
  1.6   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.7      Section 1.  [STUDY ON REIMBURSEMENT FOR SPECIAL 
  1.8   TRANSPORTATION PROVIDERS.] 
  1.9      The commissioner of human services, in consultation with 
  1.10  special transportation providers, shall prepare a study on 
  1.11  appropriate reimbursement for special transportation providers.  
  1.12  The study shall include, but not be limited to, an analysis of 
  1.13  the cost characteristics of special transportation services, 
  1.14  including the differences in costs for services provided to: 
  1.15     (1) persons who need a wheelchair lift or ramp van; 
  1.16     (2) persons who need a stretcher-equipped vehicle; 
  1.17     (3) persons who are ambulatory with assistance multiple 
  1.18  door through multiple door; 
  1.19     (4) persons who are ambulatory without assistance; 
  1.20     (5) persons residing in rural areas; and 
  1.21     (6) persons residing in urban areas. 
  1.22  The commissioner shall make recommendations for reimbursement 
  1.23  rates for services to persons in clauses (1) to (6), based 
  1.24  primarily on the analysis of service cost characteristics, 
  1.25  capital cost characteristics, and industry growth cost 
  2.1   characteristics.  The commissioner shall present the study to 
  2.2   the legislature no later than September 15, 2000.