Legislation and Funding
Legislation and funding issues always affect EMS budgets and operations. Use this topic to find out how the latest economic news is affecting EMS.
As the winter’s surge of coronavirus cases overwhelmed Los Angeles hospitals, EMTs like Michael Diaz were forced to take previously unthinkable measures
Understand how first responders can participate in the funding
As prices soar on gas, lumber and consumer goods, EMS cannot follow market forces to increase prices for our services
The report shares an in-depth look at the strain on rural communities as emergency service agencies close in record numbers around the country
Surprise medical billing and high air medical transport costs are getting attention and triggering legislation
Length of service awards, college loan forgiveness, tuition assistance and local property tax credits may soon be among the incentives available to responders
A package of 23 bills are aimed at addressing the well-being of responders and providing incentives to recruit and retain volunteer and career responders
“People make life-threatening decisions based on their ability to pay. There will be people who won’t call 911,” Dr. Jessica Saxe said
Jamie Hardin, AMR operations manager, estimates it takes crews between 20 minutes and an hour to respond to calls to help people after they fall
Exploring non-affiliated emergency medical services eligibility for Assistance to Firefighters Grants
Three questions about the Expanding Health Care Options for Early Retirees Act suggest revisions may be needed before providers should rely on the Medicare option
“Mental health is very important to their overall wellbeing. It’s OK to seek help, and recovery is possible,” one official said
Delmar-Bethlehem EMS agency purchased a mini ambulance to respond to a nine-mile trail used by bicyclists, walkers and joggers
Proposed state legislation would provide funding to convert the former convent into Georgia’s first treatment center for first responders
In this episode, our co-hosts discuss new legislation introduced to Congress that would offer a Medicare buy-in option to retired first responders over 50
Long ambulance wait times in rural New York force regional EMS officials to seek solutions at the state and federal level
Operate more efficiently, collect more revenue and gain insight into your agency’s outstanding finances with an automated system
The change would help with the agency’s long-term sustainability while creating operational benefits, additional revenue opportunities and tax benefits
Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 542 to create a rebuttable presumption that a worker’s mental health struggles are an occupational injury
North Dakota received more than $1.47 million in funds to fund the next phase of upgrades to the state’s 22 911 call centers
Local emergency crews are now seeking qualified candidates to fill these positions, but say the demand for the jobs greatly outweighs the number of applicants
Elected officials concluded that creating a joint dispatch center would result in higher operational costs, estimated between $100,000 and $150,000 a year
EMS officials are proposing that the townships split the cost of financial support, which would generate about $60,000 more than $75,000 for each town
The proposed legislation would ensure retired first responders between the ages of 50 and 65 would be eligible for Medicare
First Response Ambulance Service was unable to obtain a $2 million performance bond required by the ambulance ordinance prior to commencing operations
Rep. Chris Sainato’s House Bill 1834 will extend the expiring Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant program if it passes the floor vote
Uhrichsville fire officials presented a report with two options to the city council detailing the costs and benefits of fire-based EMS services
The hiring grants pay for 75% of the salaries and benefits for new hires for the first two years and 35% in the third year
Safety Board officials approved the purchase of six Stryker Power Load patient assistance systems with 90% of the funding coming from a federal grant
Since the county went from four 911 centers to one, costs have increased, staff have unionized and technology is blamed for dispatch delays
The bill would create the First Responder Loan Forgiveness Program, under which college graduates could have up to $16,000 in loans forgiven
Under his plea agreement, Joseph Kimble will serve 30 months in federal prison pay more than $750,000 in restitution
The funds will be distributed among 20 EMS agencies who submitted proposals to stabilize or improve their services
