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CMS Statement on Continued Action to Respond to the Cyberattack on Change Healthcare

Written by AAA Staff on . Posted in Legislative, News, Private Insurance.

From the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on March 9

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is continuing to monitor and assess the impact that the cyberattack on UnitedHealth Group’s subsidiary Change Healthcare has had on all provider and supplier types. Today, CMS is announcing that, in addition to considering applications for accelerated payments for Medicare Part A providers, we will also be considering applications for advance payments for Part B suppliers.

Over the last few days, we have continued to meet with health plans, providers and suppliers to hear about their most pressing concerns. As announced previously, we have directed our Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) to expedite actions needed for providers and suppliers to change the clearinghouse they use and to accept paper claims if providers need to use that method. We will continue to respond to provider and supplier inquiries regarding MAC processes.

CMS also recognizes that many Medicaid providers are deeply affected by the impact of the cyberattack. We are continuing to work closely with States and are urging Medicaid managed care plans to make prospective payments to impacted providers, as well.

All MACs will provide public information on how to submit a request for a Medicare accelerated or advance payment on their websites as early as today, Saturday, March 9.

CMS looks forward to continuing to support the provider community during this difficult situation. All affected providers should reach out to health plans and other payers for assistance with the disruption. CMS has encouraged Medicare Advantage (MA) organizations to offer advance funding to providers affected by this cyberattack. The rules governing CMS’s payments to MA organizations and Part D sponsors remain unchanged. Please note that nothing in this statement speaks to the arrangements between MA organizations or Part D sponsors and their contracted providers or facilities.

For more information view the Fact Sheet: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/change-healthcare/optum-payment-disruption-chopd-accelerated-payments-part-providers-and-advance

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Summary of Change Healthcare Cyberattack and HHS Statement

Written by Brian Werfel on . Posted in News, Operations.

On February 21, 2024, UnitedHealth Group (UHG) disclosed that one of its subsidiaries was the victim of a ransomware attack.  According to UHG, the cyberattack was perpetrated against Change Healthcare, an operating unit within UHG’s Optum subsidiary.  Change Healthcare is a health care technology company that provides support and technical services to UHG and numerous other health care insurers.  In response to the cyberattack, UHG proactively isolated the affected systems while it works to assess the damage.  

Change Healthcare offers a range of services to the healthcare industry, including payment and billing, prescription processing, and data analytics.  According to its website, it processes more than 15 billing healthcare transactions annually.  According to the American Hospital Association, Change Healthcare touches 1 out of every 3 patient records.  

As of today, Change Healthcare’s systems remain down, and there is no definitive timetable for when the company anticipates restoring services.  

HHS Statement on Impact to Federal Health Care Programs

On March 5, 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a statement detailing the steps HHS would be taking to avoid further disruptions to the health care system.  Specifically, HHS/CMS indicated that it would:

 

  • Work to expedite new electronic data interchange (EDI) enrollments for any provider that needs to change the clearinghouse through which it submits Medicare claims.  HHS is also encouraging other federal health care programs, including State Medicaid and CHIP agencies, to waive or expedite new EDI enrollments.
  • Issue guidance to Medicare Advantage organizations and Medicare Part D sponsors to encourage them to relax or remove prior authorization, utilization management, and timely filing requirements for the duration of the Change Healthcare system outage.  
  • Encourage MA plans to offer advance funding to providers most affected by the cyberattack.
  • Encourage State Medicaid and CHIP agencies to remove or relax their own prior authorization and utilization management requirements, and to consider offering advance funding to providers to the extent permitted by state law. 
  • Ensure that Medicare Administrative Contractors are prepared to accept paper claims from providers who need to file them.  

HHS also indicated that it would permit hospitals to submit requests for Medicare Accelerated Payments, similar to those issued during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic; however other providers/suppliers do not seem to have access to this workaround HHS indicated that its MACs would be issuing specific guidance on how to request accelerated payments later this week.

The Potential Impact on EMS Providers

According to various reports, there are approximately 800 payers whose claims routing processes utilize Change Healthcare’s network.  The day-to-day processing of electronic claims for these payers may be impacted in varying degrees.  This impact may be felt directly, in the case of claims submitted directly by the provider to the payer, or indirectly, in the case of claims submitted through a clearinghouse.  

The AAA encourages members to contact their clearinghouses to see which payers, if any, are being affected by the system interruption.  Payers that are not capable of processing electronic claims will likely have opened channels for claims to submitted on paper.  The clearinghouses should be able to provide additional information on the steps a provider needs to take to ensure the proper processing of these claims.

Optum has also established temporary alternative funding options.  Essentially, these are advances based on historical claims submissions, which will be repaid (likely through claim offsets) once Optum’s systems are fully back online.  At this point it is unclear whether ambulance providers will be eligible for this alternative funding.  Members are encouraged to check the Optum website for further updates.  



CMS Ambulance Open Door Forum: Rescheduled

Written by Samantha Hilker on . Posted in Cost Data Collection, News, Reimbursement.

The Ambulance Open Door Forum has been rescheduled from March 14th to NEW DATE date, April 11th at the same time of 2:00pm-3:00pm ET. Thank you.

Register Here

Overview:

The Ambulance Open Door Forum (ODF) addresses issues related to the Medicare payment, billing, and coverage for air and ground ambulance services. The Ambulance Fee Schedule (AFS) proposed and final rules, rural and other additional payments under the AFS, and Prior Authorization of Repetitive, Scheduled Non-Emergent Ambulance Transport (RSNAT) are just some of the many types of issues addressed within the forum. In addition, discussions differentiating the rules related to ambulance providers and independent ambulance suppliers are facilitated. Timely announcements and clarifications regarding important rulemaking, agency program initiatives and other related areas are also included in the forum.

EMS Gives Life | EMT Dave and Wife Kelly Need Your Help

Written by Amanda Riordan on . Posted in News, Press.

Dave and Kelly’s Inspiring Journey

Meet Dave Raymond, a dedicated firefighter EMT, and his wife, Kelly, who has been on a courageous four-year quest to find a kidney donor. In December 2023, a ray of hope shone through when Kelly’s uncle, though not a match for her, selflessly donated a kidney on her behalf through the National Kidney Registry’s standard voucher program. While Kelly is still waiting for the perfect match, they are one significant step closer, and Dave and Kelly are feeling blessed by this development.

A Struggle Behind the Scenes

However, behind this hopeful story lies a financial crisis. Despite Dave’s tireless efforts, working multiple jobs, having private medical insurance and Medicare for Kelly, the overwhelming burden of unpaid co-pays and uncovered balances has pushed the Raymond family into a dire financial situation. They now face the imminent threat of losing their home and only vehicle, and Kelly’s health is further compromised as they are unable to schedule specialist appointments due to unpaid balances.

“Dave is working four jobs.  We have both private health insurance and Medicare, and the medical bills still keep piling up.  I’m on daily dialysis and can’t work. There are no more hours left in the day for Dave to work.  I am worried he will lose his health and we’ll lose our home. The stress is overwhelming.”  – Kelly Raymond

The Raymond Family’s Sacrifice

Dave and his son, Christopher, share a profound commitment to saving lives as firefighter EMTs. Yet, the harsh reality is that they are unable to save Kelly on their own. The burden of mounting bills has forced them to turn to their community, and their fire service/EMS family for support.

Your Chance to Make a Difference

Now is the time for us to rally together and support these everyday heroes who have dedicated their lives to helping others. Your contribution will not only ease the financial strain on the Raymond family but also allow them to focus on what matters most – Kelly’s health and well-being.  Your donation can be the lifeline this family desperately needs.

Donate to the Raymonds

Kelly’s Medical History of Diabetes and Kidney Disease

Kelly has struggled with medical issues all her life. She has Type 1 (Juvenile) Diabetes which created many health complications. But one by one, Kelly has overcome and moved on, keeping an incredibly optimistic outlook. In 2013 she lost her leg to diabetes but has adapted very well. In 2020 her kidneys started shutting down rapidly and it was determined that she would need a kidney transplant to live. In the meantime, Kelly is doing dialysis 7 days a week to keep going. It is difficult, but we are grateful that dialysis buys her some time while we search for a donor. Many people have stepped up for Kelly and all but one has been found medically ineligible to donate. Unfortunatley the one approved donor had a major family crisis that put kidney donation on hold indefinitely. With the National Kidney Registry standard voucher, Kelly is now waiting patiently to be matched with a living kidney donor, which will likely happen within the year.

Will you send the Raymond Family a lifeline?

Good news…

Kelly is waiting to be matched with a living kidney donor!

The need…

The Raymond family’s financial situation is dire!

We Need to Raise $20,000

DONATE NOW
  • $5,000 will avoid repossession of their car
  • $10,000 will remove the risk of home foreclosure
  • $5,000 will cover unpaid medical bills

100% of your donation will go to the Raymond family.  EMS Gives Life is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

Donate to the Raymonds

GoAERO Competition + Informational Webinar Details

Written by AAA Staff on . Posted in News, Operations, Patient Care, Press.

From GoAEROprize.com

Heroes who look past danger to help people in need,


Heroes to step in to be the difference between triumph and tragedy,

And Heroes who use their minds to create technology that saves lives.

We need those Heroes. 

GoAERO is offering $2+ Million in prizes for the best thinkers, creators and inventors to build Emergency Response Flyers and stretch and challenge their minds to unlock a new era of disaster and rescue response.

​By unleashing the power of autonomy, speed, and precision, GoAERO is looking for the brightest, boldest and bravest to change the way we rescue and respond to disaster.

​This is your chance to make history and save lives.

 

Register for Informational Webinars

CMS Releases New GADCS Tip Sheet for Rural, Super Rural Services

Written by Samantha Hilker on . Posted in Cost Data Collection, News.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a new “Reporting for Rural and Super-Rural Organizations Tip Sheet” on February 16, 2024. This guide assists ground ambulance organizations in rural and super-rural areas to meet the Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System (GADCS) requirements.

You can find all of their tip sheets, including those focused on allocation, governmental, and public safety organizations, on the CMS GADCS website.

Services selected as part of the Year 3 and Year 4 list are due to submit their 2023 data to CMS by May 31, 2024, or 5 months after the close of their fiscal year. The AAA offers various resources to help services collect, verify, and submit data on time and avoid penalties. For more information about our resources, including Amber, email hello@ambulance.org.

Ninth Brain: Unleashing Power-Packed Features with Open API, Single Sign-On, and Advanced Tools!

Written by AAA Staff on . Posted in Marketing & PR, News.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

In the ever-evolving landscape of workforce management, Ninth Brain emerges as a pioneering force, dedicated to delivering innovative solutions that prioritize cutting-edge technology, user-friendly features, and steadfast compliance.

As Ninth Brain continues its journey, they are thrilled to unveil insights into key functionalities that position them as a leader in the industry.

Developer Open API: Seamless Integration

Central to Ninth Brain’s commitment to seamless data integration is their Developer Open API. Features like the Forms Module API Endpoint enables management to effortlessly retrieve form responses, facilitate in-depth analysis and examine with external dashboard utilization. The Run Log Module API Endpoint empowers management to monitor and analyze debriefs, chart reviews, and utilization responses, providing invaluable insights into its patient care.

OSHA Logs and Electronic Reporting: Simplified Compliance

In the realm of Emergency Medical Services, compliance with OSHA regulations is paramount. Ninth Brain’s Employee Health module streamlines the management of workplace injuries, illnesses, and incidents. This not only ensures compliance but also enhances reporting efficiency, enabling EMS agencies to focus on their life-saving missions.

Captain Grey Matter/Co-Owner, Lisa Tedford, underscores the commitment: “Our team is dedicated to researching regulations and finding innovative ways to enhance our platform. We aim to alleviate tasks for busy administrators, making our partners more efficient and ensuring ongoing compliance. The recent update to the Employee Health module was driven by the need to keep agencies compliant with the new 2024 electronic reporting mandate, designed to simplify the submission process.”

Single Sign-On:  Effortless Access

Ninth Brain’s adoption of Single Sign-On (SSO) has revolutionized the user experience, providing a simplified and secure login process. Centralizing authentication, SSO reduces password fatigue, enhances security, and streamlines administrative management. Password Administrators are encouraged to explore the benefits of SSO with their tech teams, as enabling this feature is an impactful and positive change.

Accreditation Assistant:  Streamlined Process

Notably, Ninth Brain recently introduced the Accreditation Assistant, revolutionizing the compliance journey for EMS leaders with features tailored for accreditation and reaccreditation, streamlined processes, and intelligent recommendations, reinforcing Ninth Brain’s commitment to comprehensive solutions.

Co-Owner Holly Taylor emphasizes, “At Ninth Brain, we’re all about making things better. Our latest software enhancements? They’re like your personal efficiency boosters, helping our partners get things done smarter and keeping them in the compliance sweet spot. We’re not just here to deliver software; we’re here to make their work life a whole lot easier!”

By highlighting these features, Ninth Brain reaffirms its commitment to supporting EMS agencies in optimizing workforce management, ensuring compliance, and contributing to the successful delivery of life-saving services. As they look ahead, Ninth Brain remains at the forefront of industry compliance, continuously enhancing its software to meet the evolving needs of its clients.

About Ninth Brain: Ninth Brain’s mission is to be a long-standing partner with First Responder agencies by providing quality and intuitive software solutions that evolve with the industry. They bundle comprehensive software with a fun, devoted, and knowledgeable support team that make their clients their top priority. Throughout the past 20+ years of their journey, Ninth Brain has continuously developed enhancements to provide efficiencies, aid in industry compliance, and ultimately elevate patient care practices. Ninth Brain offers Credential Tracking, Learning Management System, Workforce Scheduling, Quality Improvement Tracking, Digital Forms and Checklists, and more! To learn more, visit www.ninthbrain.com

Contact:  Holly Taylor, Chief Hat Holder

Phone: 888-364-9995 ext. 320

Email:  Holly@ninthbrain.com

CMS Updates GADCS User Guide | Feb 29 Office Hours

Written by Samantha Hilker on . Posted in Cost Data Collection, News.

CMS header
Dear Ground Ambulance Providers and Suppliers,

Starting January 1, 2024, selected ground ambulance organizations in Year 3 and Year 4 are required to report cost, utilization, revenue, and other information to CMS. Organizations that fail to report may be subject to a 10 percent payment reduction.

Learn about an updated user guide and upcoming webinar:

Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System: Updated GADCS User Guide

CMS updated the step-by-step Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System (GADCS) User Guide to include changes that we finalized in the CY 2024 Physician Fee Schedule final rule.

More Information:

 

Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System: Office Hours Session – February 29

Thursday, February 29 from 2–3pm ET

Register for this webinar:

Do you have questions about the Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System (GADCS)? CMS and our contractors will address GADCS-related questions in real-time. While everyone is welcome to participate, this session will be most relevant to selected ground ambulance organizations in Year 3 and Year 4 of the GADCS as they begin reporting data to CMS in 2024.

This session will be divided into 2 topics:

  • 2–2:30pm: GADCS instructions and how to respond to specific questions
  • 2:30–3pm: User accounts, accessing the GADCS portal, and information technology issues

Visit  Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System for resources including:

  • Printable version of the GADCS instrument in English and Spanish
  • Updated GADCS User Guide
  • Tip sheets on reporting and getting access to the GADCS, FAQs, and prior educational sessions
  • Lists of ground ambulance organizations required to participate in Years 1–4

You’re getting this message because you subscribed to get email updates from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com.

This service is provided to you at no charge by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

In Memory of the Crew of Air Evac Lifeteam N295AE

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

Statement from Global Medical Response

Air Evac Lifeteam is heartbroken to report that three crew members have perished in an incident that occurred on Saturday, January 20. At 11:23 pm local time AEL’s Operations Control Center (OCC) lost contact with the aircraft, a Bell 206L3 with call sign N295AE. The crew is based out of Weatherford, OK, and was returning to base after completing a patient care transport in Oklahoma City when the OCC lost contact with them. Nearby AEL teams assisted local law enforcement with the search.

Our primary focus is on supporting the families and our team members. CISM teams have been sent to assist our team members during this time.

It is with a heavy heart that we share the names of our three colleagues. Pilot Russell Haslam, Flight Nurse Adam Tebben and Flight Paramedic Steven Fitzgerald. We continue to hold their families in our hearts.

AEL has turned over the scene and investigation to the NTSB

Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System Overview Webinar – January 18

Written by Samantha Hilker on . Posted in Cost Data Collection, News.

CMS header

Dear ground ambulance providers and suppliers,

Starting January 1, 2024, selected ground ambulance organizations in Year 3 and Year 4 are required to report cost, utilization, revenue, and other information to CMS. Organizations that fail to report may be subject to a 10 percent payment reduction.

Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System Overview Webinar – January 18

Thursday, January 18 from 2– 3:30 pm ET

Register for this webinar. While everyone is welcome to participate, this session will be most relevant to selected ground ambulance organizations in Years 3 and 4 as they start reporting Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System (GADCS) data to CMS in 2024.

This 60-minute presentation will cover all aspects of the GADCS, including:

  • Overview and key concepts
  • Section walkthrough
  • User accounts, logging in, and linking to your organization
  • Submitting and certifying your data

A Q&A session will follow the presentation.

More Information:

  • Ambulance Events webpage: The January 18 presentation will be posted here
  • Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System webpage:
    • Printable version of the GADCS instrument in English and Spanish
    • GADCS User Guide
    • Tip sheets on reporting and getting access, FAQs, and prior educational sessions
    • Lists of ground ambulance organizations required to participate in Years 1–4

 

The road ahead: Resuscitating EMS through trend analysisEMS One-Stop

    • Government

Collecting and communicating the big EMS news of 2023

The American Ambulance Association and the Academy of Mobile Healthcare Integration (AIMHI) collect, collate, categorize and share weekly EMS-based news stories widely with many national organizations and associations, including NHTSA, USFA and NAEMT.

The information contained in the news tracker allows officials and EMS leaders to brief and educate journalists and elected officials, as well as the public as to the current plight of EMS. EMS is delivered on a local level and those experiencing issues with their service can believe it is just them suffering funding shortages, staffing challenges, hospital delays or general poor performance. The tracker can be used to demonstrate that the issues are occurring on a wider regional, state, national and, in some cases, international level.

In this episode of the EMS One-Stop podcast, host Rob Lawrence, who also heads up the AAA-AIMHI news collation effort, welcomes fellow news collator, Rodney Dyche of Patient Care EMS; and AIMHI Education Committee Chair, Matt Zavadsky, chief transformation officer at MedStar Mobile Healthcare. Rob, Rodney and Matt examine EMS news and current trends, and discuss how these themes can be used to inform, influence and educate.

Top quotes from this episode

“There’s a perverse ‘incentive’ about response time … if you have the target of 8:59, you arrive on time and the patient dies; that’s a success. If you arrive in 9:01 and the patient lives; that’s a failure. That’s absolute garbage” — Rob Lawrence

“There was a quote from Dr. Clawson in a news story that was done in Minneapolis, and I love his quote. He says, ‘there is no evidence that using red lights and sirens have saved more lives than they’ve taken.’” — Matt Zavadsky

“Every week in this great country, an ambulance is stolen either from hospital or from scene – that’s avoidable.” — Rob Lawrence

“Stop being timid. Stop licking your wounds. Get out in your community, talk to your elected officials. Talk to your city managers or county administrators – very factually, not emotionally. There will be time for emotions, but give them the facts and let them know what it’s gonna take to resuscitate their EMS delivery system.” — Matt Zavadsky

Episode contents

00:23 – Guest introduction

02:06 – AAA/AIMHI News Tracker and story categories

04:22 – A resource to brief the press and elected officials

04:30 – Operational challenges across many states

05:50 – Massive sign-on bonuses – robbing Peter to pay Paul

06:30 – Staffing and funding issues

08:40 – Communities/local governing bodies facing the fact that they are running out of money, and their EMS isn’t free

09:40 – Transitioning from a volunteer to a paid system

11:00 – Explaining EMS economics to your elected officials

11:50 – Has anyone died? Bring data

13:30 – EMS systems closing

15:30 – “Elected officials get nervous deciding to allocate funding to a service that they haven’t had to fund or haven’t, haven’t had to fund to this certain level in the past.”

18:40 – Response time

19:25 – Increase in low acuity calls

20:30 – Service design

22:50 – Single- versus double-paramedic crewed trucks

25:04 – MEDIC Charlotte – Taking bold steps within categories of response

27:00 – The rate of ambulance crashes across the county at intersections

27:47 – If you are not the ambulance driver … who is?

29:49 – There is no evidence that using red lights and siren have saved more lives than they’ve taken!

30:30 – Stolen ambulances

32:59 – Supply chain and vehicle availability

34:00 – Rurality and ambulance deserts

35:00 – Violence against providers

37:00 – Responding to patients in crisis/agitated patients

38:00 – How to use the media log in your locality to good effect

40:00 – Final thoughts

About our guests

Matt Zavadsky is the chief transformation officer at MedStar Mobile Healthcare, the exclusive emergency an

  • Copyright 2022 All rights reserved.

VA Final Rule Delayed One Year

Written by Meghan Winesett on . Posted in Government Affairs, News.

Hot off the press! The Department of Veteran’s Affairs has announced a one year delay of the VA Final Rule. This delay pushes implementation of the final rule to February of 2025.

We want to thank all of our AAA members, partner organizations, and legislative champions for their collaborative efforts and commitment to securing this critical delay.

Please see the following press release from the Office of Senator Tester. 

Following Tester Efforts, VA Takes Action to Avoid Potential Reduction in Air and Ground Transportation Services

VA delays rule that could have resulted in severe reductions in access to emergency ground and air transportation services in Montana

(Big Sandy, Mont.) – Following sustained efforts from U.S. Senator Jon Tester to protect rural veterans’ access to lifesaving emergency medical transportation services, the Department of Veterans Affairs is delaying a rule to change reimbursement rates for special mode transportation, including air and ground ambulances. This delay will give VA more time to work with stakeholders and Congress to implement the rule in a way that would ensure access and availability of emergency transportation to veterans and civilians, especially in rural America.

“The availability of emergency air and ground transportation services in Montana and rural America can be the difference between life and death,” said Tester, Chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “VA’s hasty implementation of its rate change for these services could have been the final straw for providers in rural America, and I’m glad to see VA answering my call and taking steps to fix this reimbursement issue. VA still has a lot more work to do, and I’ll continue pushing my VA Emergency Transportation Access Act to ensure VA gets this rule right for veterans and anyone who calls rural America home.”

VA’s rule was set to go into effect in February 2024, despite significant opposition from Tester, transportation providers, and Veteran Service Organizations. Now, VA is committing to delaying the rule’s effective date until February 2025, which would give the Department more time to work with providers to ensure the rule will not negatively impact their services and ability to serve veterans, especially those in rural and hard-to-reach areas. The previous implementation timeline of rate reductions could have resulted in emergency transportation providers severely reducing services, closing bases, or even billing veterans for the remainder of their costs in order to shoulder the financial impacts of this change. 

Tester has led the bipartisan charge to push back on the Biden Administration’s proposed rule change and protect Montana veterans’ access to emergency medical transportation services since day one. In September 2022, he wrote to VA Secretary Denis McDonough to express his concerns with VA’s rule, and in February of this year, he called on the Secretary again to delay this rule. This September, he introduced the bipartisan VA Emergency Transportation Access Act to bar VA from reducing rates of pay and reimbursement for special mode transportation providers, including ground and air ambulances, unless the Department meets certain requirements that ensure rate changes will not reduce veterans’ access to this essential service.

The Senator also recently secured a bipartisan amendment to prohibit VA from implementing this rule in fiscal year 2024 to a key Senate bill that passed earlier this month.

Tester’s efforts have been applauded by emergency medical service leaders in Montana and across the nation. Earlier this month, the Senator was awarded Legislator of the Year by the American Ambulance Association for his work to push back on VA’s rule.

Gluesenkamp Perez and Finstad Introduce EMS Workforce Shortage Bill

Written by Tristan North on . Posted in Government Affairs, Legislative, News, Recruitment & Retention, Workforce Shortage.

Yesterday, November 15, Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA) and Congressman Brad Finstad (R-MN) introduced the Preserve Access to Rapid Ambulance Emergency Medical Treatment (PARA-EMT) Act (H.R. 6433). H.R. 6433 is the first broad, stand-alone piece of legislation specifically designed to focus solely on helping address the EMS workforce shortage.

“We greatly appreciate the leadership of Congresswoman Gluesenkamp Perez and Congressman Finstad on introducing this momentous legislation to assist with the hiring and retention of paramedics and EMTs,” stated AAA President Randy Strozyk. “We look forward to working with them on passage of the bill.”

H.R. 6433 would establish a pilot grant program under the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the recruitment and training of paramedics and EMTs. The grant program would be authorized from 2024 through 2028 with $50 million a year in funding.

The legislation would also provide states with funding to help facilitate and expedite the transition of medics coming out of military service with the requirements of becoming a civilian paramedic or EMT. The program would be authorized from 2024 through 2028 with $20 million a year in grant funding for states.

Lastly, H.R. 6433 would direct the Secretary of Labor to conduct a study on the EMS workforce shortage and issue a report to Congress. The report would include an analysis on potentially adding paramedics and EMTs to the list of health care occupations which benefit from an easier hiring process of professionals outside the U.S.

The American Ambulance Association, National Rural Health Association and Washington Ambulance Association have endorsed H.R. 6433. In the coming days, the AAA will be launching a Call to Action to encourage and assist our members in contacting their U.S. Representatives in support of cosponsoring H.R. 6433.

Thank you to all of the AAA members and volunteer leaders who worked tirelessly to push for the introduction of this important EMS legislation!

2023 AAA Legislative Awards

Written by Meghan Winesett on . Posted in Awards, Legislative, Legislative Awards, News, Press, Stars of Life.

The American Ambulance Association is proud to announce the winners of the 2023 AAA Legislative Awards. Each Member of Congress is being recognized for their strong advocacy for emergency medical services and their ongoing dedication to ambulance services across the United States.

2023 AAA Legislators of the Year

Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D (LA)
Senator Jon Tester (MT)

2023 AAA Legislative Recognition Award Recipients

Senators

  • Senator Cortez Masto (NV)
  • Senator Collins (ME)
  • Senator Stabenow (MI)
  • Senator Schumer (NY)
  • Senator Lujan (NM)
  • Senator Kaine (VA)
  • Senator Murkowski (AK)
  • Senator Tuberville (AL)
  • Senator Murray (WA)
  • Senator Moran (KS)
  • Senator Boozman (AR)

Representatives

  • Congressman Blumenauer (OR-3)
  • Congresswoman Kelly (IL-2)
  • Congresswoman Sewell (AL-7)
  • Congressman Wenstrup (OH-2)
  • Congressman Carter (GA-1)
  • Congressman Tonko (NY-20)
  • Congressman Davis (IL-7)
  • Congresswoman Perez (WA-3)
  • Congressman Finstad (MN-1)
  • Congressman Pence (IN-6)
  • Congressman Kim (NJ-3)
  • Congresswoman Clark (MA-5)
  • Congressman Zinke (MT-1)
  • Congressman Guest (MS-3)
  • Congresswoman Hoyle (OR-4)
  • Congressman Bost (IL-12)
  • Congressman Alford (MO-4)

 

NAEMSP | Rest in Peace E. Brooke Lerner, PhD, FAEMS

Written by AAA Staff on . Posted in News.

NAEMSP is deeply saddened by the news that E. Brooke Lerner, PhD, FAEMS has passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. Over the past two decades, Brooke has dedicated her career to the advancement of prehospital care, from spending time in the field as a paramedic to serving on the NAEMSP Board of Directors and joining her alma mater, the University of Buffalo, as a tenured professor and vice chair for research in the Department of Emergency Medicine in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

 

Said NAEMSP President José G Cabañas MD, MPH, FAEMS: “We pay tribute to the extraordinary legacy ‎of Dr. Brooke Lerner. Her service to our profession and NAEMSP was marked by honor and distinction, ‎including the mentorship of countless clinicians devoted to building effective prehospital systems of ‎care. Brooke’s transformative work played a pivotal role in advancing trauma and pediatric emergency ‎care, leaving behind a body of work that was instrumental in enhancing prehospital care standards. ‎May her enduring legacy serve as an inspiration to all of us, reminding us of the profound impact one ‎person’s selfless dedication can have in elevating the practice of EMS medicine.”‎

 

Throughout her career, Brooke focused on research in a subspecialty with a relatively small literature ‎base, authoring over 135 peer-reviewed publications and completing many federally funded grants to ‎conduct EMS research. Much of her research addressed acute injury care and field/disaster triage, and ‎she led the current national guideline for mass casualty triage.‎

 

Brooke also dedicated much of her time to pediatric emergency care, especially through the federally ‎funded Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN), where she led the ‎organization’s only prehospital node and served on its Executive Committee.‎

 

Following her diagnosis, Brooke worked with NAEMSP and the GMR Foundation to establish the E. ‎Brooke Lerner Research Fund with the goal of supporting early career EMS researchers. “I’ve spent my ‎career on improving prehospital care, and I wanted to leave something behind to keep that legacy ‎moving forward,” Brooke said, speaking of the fund shortly after its creation.‎

 

In 2013, Brooke received NAEMSP’s Keith Neely Award, and ten years later, she was recognized with ‎the Ronald D. Stewart Award for her illustrious career in EMS. It would be impossible to recount all the ‎invaluable contributions to emergency medical services made by Brooke Lerner, and more impossible ‎still to describe the impact she made on each person she met. NAEMSP will remember Brooke with the ‎utmost admiration and is profoundly grateful for everything she has done to advance EMS.‎

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