More than two dozen people testified at this morning’s joint Health & Welfare “listening hearing,” and many more still wanted to speak. “I want to thank everyone for coming today,” said House Health & Welfare Chairman Fred Wood, R-Burley. “I know some of you didn’t get to testify and that’s disappointing to you. I want to reiterate again, however, that we heard you loud and clear about the Veyo issue. Chairman Heider and I will try to have meetings on the same day, so that when you come to testify, we want to be able to have the Department of Health & Welfare in, take testimony from them, find out what’s going on, take testimony from drivers etc., transportation companies and others.”

Yesterday, the Consortium for Idahoans with Disabilities met with Wood and Heider and presented them with more than 400 complaints they’ve compiled about the Veyo service, particularly regarding it s use of independent drivers who aren’t trained to deal with people with disabilities. The group has been meeting with Medicaid and Veyo representatives for the past five months about the concerns.

“Secondly, we are working on the gap issue,” Wood said. “If that were easy, it would’ve been done before now, believe me. But we heard you loud and clear on those two issues. We will continue to work on that, and just again thank you for coming. Wish we had time to hear all of your today, but for those that have a real burning issue, I’m sure Sen. Heider and I both would make 15 minutes or 10 minutes in our offices to sit down with you and talk about what is going on.”

Heider, the Senate Health & Welfare chairman, said, “We have this hearing but our doors are always open, and we are listening. Every person here on this panel ... will listen to your issues, will help you with legislation if legislation is needed. We are here to represent the people of Idaho.”