Improving access to care: COMPASS honors partnership to boost patient transportation

Reliable transportation is essential to staying connected to health care. However, for many people across Ada and Canyon counties, getting to an appointment can be a persistent barrier to managing their health.

When someone can’t reach their doctor, pick up a prescription or attend a preventive screening, it can become much more difficult to stay on track with their health.

Understanding that need, St. Luke’s in recent years has worked with local organizations, including Valley Regional Transit and Saint Alphonsus Health System, to broaden eligibility for transportation assistance.

In recognition, Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho, or COMPASS, recently presented a 2025 Leadership in Motion Award to the St. Luke’s and Saint Alphonsus teams focused on this collaboration. The COMPASS awards acknowledge individuals, organizations and projects that advance Communities in Motion 2050, the long‑range transportation plan for Ada and Canyon counties.

Expanding access through shared investment

One Valley Regional Transit program helping patients access care is Rides2Wellness, designed to provide free transportation to medical appointments for older adults, individuals with disabilities and people with limited financial resources.

Previously, the Rides2Wellness program only stopped at a small number of health care clinics in the Treasure Valley. In 2024, St. Luke’s, as well as Saint Alphonsus, provided funding to expand the number clinics across Ada and Canyon counties eligible for the program, providing more stops — and more access to care — for patients.

The expanded funding also added Kuna to the list of communities eligible for patient pickup and drop off, broadening the number of local residents eligible to receive free rides for medical appointments.

“Expanding transportation assistance to include all St. Luke’s locations in the area means fewer missed appointments and healthier outcomes for the people we serve,” said Angie Gribble, St. Luke’s senior director of Community Health and Engagement.

“Transportation should never stand between someone and the care they need, and we’re honored to collaborate with Saint Alphonsus and Valley Regional Transit to improve access and support healthier communities.

Partnerships supporting healthier communities

Valley Regional Transit administers Rides2Wellness and additional access-boosting programs, partnering with organizations like St. Luke’s and other health care providers around the area.

Transportation is one of several social drivers of health. Factors such as income, education, food access and housing stability can significantly influence a person’s ability to maintain good health. When people cannot reliably reach health care services, they are more likely to miss essential appointments, postpone treatment or forgo preventive care altogether.

COMPASS shared that Rides2Wellness connects people to “primary care, behavioral health, pharmacies and preventive services — helping keep people healthy and active in their communities.”

In addition, these transportation options help older adults remain independent, support people living with disabilities and reduce the burden on families trying to navigate limited or costly transit options.

“By championing transit as part of patient-centered care, St. Luke’s and Saint Alphonsus embody the spirit of regional partnership and innovation across public, private, and nonprofit sectors to help ensure health care is accessible to all,” COMPASS shared.