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Author: AAA Staff

Submit 2026 Award Nominations

Written by AAA Staff on . Posted in Annual Conference & Tradeshow, Awards.

Celebrate EMS Excellence 

Join us at the American Ambulance Association Annual Conference & Trade Show, April 20–22, 2026, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. This three-day event brings the EMS community together for education, connection, and inspiration—while also honoring the very best in the industry through the EMSNext and Vanguard Awards. Take this opportunity to recognize excellence by nominating an individual whose leadership and impact deserve to be celebrated. Nominations will close January 16, 2026.

EMSNext Nominations

Nominate a rising star for EMSNext! This immersive program is built to accelerate the growth of emerging EMS professionals through mentorship, meaningful connections, and year-round leadership engagement. Help us recognize individuals who are pushing boundaries, making an impact beyond their role, and preparing to shape the future of EMS.

Nominate for EMSNext

Vanguard Award Nominations 

Honor the women who helped shape the profession by submitting a nomination for the third annual Vanguard Awards. Presented in partnership with Women in Emergency Services (WiES), these awards recognize exceptional women leaders with 35+ years of service whose dedication, influence, and legacy continue to inspire the EMS community.

Nominate for Vanguard

Senate Cloture on Shutdown Package

Written by AAA Staff on . Posted in Government Affairs, Legislative, Medicare, Member Advisories, Member-Only, News, Reimbursement.

The Senate has made progress towards ending the government shutdown. The Senate, by a vote of 60 to 40, invoked cloture on consideration of the House-passed Continuing Resolution after an agreement was reached yesterday with eight Senate Democrats on replacement language, which the Senate will vote on next.

On our specific issues, the language would do the following:
1. Extend the temporary Medicare ambulance add-ons payments through January 30, 2026
2. Prevent PAYGO cuts to Medicare providers and suppliers from H.R. 1
3. Extend Medicare sequestration provider cuts for another month

We will keep you posted on new developments.

Senators Collins and Welch Have Introduced TIP Senate Companion Legislation

Written by AAA Staff on . Posted in Government Affairs, Legislative, Member Advisories, News, Reimbursement.

Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Peter Welch (D-VT) introduced the Senate version of the CARE Act (S. 3145) to establish a CMMI demonstration program for reimbursement of ambulance responses with medical care provided on-site without transport to a medical facility. Linked below is a copy of the press release from Senator Collins, as well as both the House and Senate versions of the bill.

Sen. Collins Press Release

Senate Bill Text

House Bill Text 

 

Contact your member of Congress today!

Written by AAA Staff on . Posted in Advocacy Priorities, Government Affairs, Legislative, Medicare, Member Advisories.

With the Medicare ambulance add-ons having expired at least temporarily, it is critical that you contact your Members of Congress now to ask for their support in reinstating and making permanent this vital financial relief. They can demonstrate their support by cosponsoring the Protecting Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act (H.R. 2232, S. 1643). Please customize the sample template letter to let them know of the financial impact of the loss of the additional 2% urban, 3% rural and 22.6% super rural in additional Medicare payments on your operation.

Click the link below and write your members of Congress today about reinstating and extending the add-on payments.

Contact your members of Congress here!

2025 AAA Board of Directors Election Results

Written by AAA Staff on . Posted in AAA HQ, Elections, Uncategorized.

The winners of the 2025 AAA Board of Directors election are listed below. Each Director will serve a 3-year term beginning January 1, 2026.  Please join us in thanking all candidates for their service to the American Ambulance Association.

Region 1 Director (3-year term)

Dennis Cataldo
President/CEO
Cataldo Ambulance Service, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

Region 2 Director (3-year term)

John Peterson
Executive Director
Mecklenburg EMS Agency (Medic)

 

 

 

 

 

Region 3 Director (3-year term)

Kolby Miller
CEO
Medstar

 

 

 

 

 

 

Region 4 Director (3-year term)

Butch Oberhoff
Senior Director of Governmental Affairs
Acadian Ambulance

 

 

 

 

 

Region 5 Director (3-year term)

Mike Battis
Director of Operations
Ballard Ambulance

 

 

 

 

Ethics Committee Members (2-year term)

  • Paul Main
  • Chuck Kearns

 

AAA Nominates Mike Thomas to Serve Again on NEMSAC

Written by AAA Staff on . Posted in Executive, News.

American Ambulance Association President Jamie Pafford-Gresham has nominated AAA Board Member Mike Thomas of JanCare Ambulance in West Virginia to once again serve as the “private (career non-fire) EMS” representative on the National Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee (NEMSAC). The Administration recently ended the terms of previous federal advisory committee members, including those on NEMSAC, and is now accepting new nominations. Mike previously served on NEMSAC, and the AAA is proud to renominate him for a full term in his role representing private EMS.

2025 Candidates for the AAA Board of Directors

Written by AAA Staff on . Posted in Elections.

The American Ambulance Association Board has ratified the 2025 slate of candidates for this year’s election. Online ballots will open Monday, September 15th, and will be delivered to AAA Active Member primary contacts via email from announcement@associationvoting.com. Voting ends October 24th, with results announced November 2nd at the 2025 Stars of Life Board & Membership Meeting.

This year’s election features a great group of candidates for the following positions:

  • Region 1 Director
  • Region 2 Director
  • Region 3 Director
  • Region 4 Director
  • Region 5 Director
  • Ethics Committee

 Thank you to all our talented candidates for stepping forward to serve!

Meet the Candidates

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