At a time when EMS reimbursement faces unprecedented scrutiny and pressure, Shawn Baird joins the EMS One-Stop podcast to explain what is happening in Washington, D.C., why it matters to every ambulance service in America and what EMS leaders can do about it.
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A former Paramedic, ambulance service owner, CEO, American Ambulance Association resident, and now Vice President of Government Affairs for the AAA, Baird brings a unique perspective that spans frontline care, operations and national advocacy.
In this episode, Rob Lawrence and Baird unpack the growing threats to Medicare and Medicaid funding, discuss the proposed changes to Medicaid supplemental payment programs, and explore the work of the National EMS Payment Reform Committee.
The conversation also previews the AAA Legislative Fly-In, and highlights efforts to secure EMS workforce funding, streamline military medic transitions into civilian EMS and advance federal fuel tax relief. Most importantly, Baird delivers a clear message: EMS professionals must tell their story, engage with elected officials and advocate for the future of mobile healthcare.
This episode serves as both an explainer and a call to action. As federal policymakers debate Medicaid funding, EMS reimbursement, workforce development and healthcare spending, Baird makes the case that every EMS professional has a role to play. Whether through legislative fly-ins, ride-alongs, town halls or simply telling the EMS story, advocacy is no longer optional. It is essential to preserving access to emergency medical care in communities across America.
Notable quotes
- “We’re hoping to make some proposals for real long-term reform on Medicare that will shore up the EMS system, not just to survive day to day, but really to thrive.” — Shawn Baird
- “We are more than just a ride. We are mobile healthcare.” — Rob Lawrence
- “We really have not been able to find a lot of data to support a bunch of waste, fraud and abuse in the EMS system. What there is, is a lot of misunderstanding.” — Shawn Baird
- “If we don’t get paid ourselves, how can we pay other people? How can we then afford to deliver excellent healthcare to our patients?” — Rob Lawrence
- “First of all, talk about the patient because the patient is the most important part of this whole discussion; second of all, talk about the medical care you provide because that’s what the patient needs.” — Shawn Baird
- “We’re the safety net. We’re access to critical emergency care in many communities that don’t have other healthcare.” — Shawn Baird
- “Probably the most important thing that folks listening to your show can do is attend a town hall and raise your hand and say, ‘I’m just worried about our ambulance service.’” — Shawn Baird
- “We have the greatest story of all to tell.” — Shawn Baird
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Episode timeline
01:00 – Rob introduces the episode and outlines the challenges facing EMS reimbursement and federal healthcare funding.
02:07 – Shawn Baird’s EMS Journey — from paramedic intern at Grady Hospital to rural EMS operator, company owner, AAA president and government affairs leader.
03:00 – Why healthcare reimbursement decisions are increasingly shifting from Washington to state legislatures.
06:45 – The National EMS Payment Reform Committee and the search for long-term solutions to EMS financing.
09:13 – Medicaid, waste, fraud and abuse — understanding misconceptions about EMS reimbursement and why ambulance services are being caught in broader healthcare debates.
11:33 – EMS is more than transportation — reframing EMS as healthcare first, transportation second.
13:20 – The threat to Medicaid supplemental funding — provider taxes, GEMT programs and proposed federal changes that could impact ambulance services nationwide.
15:15 – Proposed CMS rule changes — why EMS leaders are concerned about being included in Medicaid funding reductions.
17:40 - How national EMS organizations are coordinating efforts to speak with one voice.
20:08 – The AAA Legislative Fly-In — what it is, how it works and why provider participation matters.
21:45 – Federal legislative priorities — EMS workforce development funding, military medic-to-civilian certification pathways and federal fuel tax relief for ambulance services.
26:50 – How EMS providers can engage when legislation is moving.
27:40 – The importance of local advocacy — town halls, community events and direct engagement with elected officials.
29:30 – Ride-alongs as an advocacy tool — why seeing EMS firsthand changes policymakers’ perspectives.
32:00 – Final thoughts — politics is ultimately about relationships, storytelling and helping decision-makers understand EMS.
