Tag: Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)

Preserving Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act of 2023

Written by Meghan Winesett on . Posted in Advocacy Priorities, Government Affairs, Legislative.

Earlier today, Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Susan Collins (R-ME), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA) introduced the Preserving Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act of 2023. The legislation would extend the temporary Medicare ambulance add-on payments for an additional three years.

“We thank Senators Cortez Masto, Collins, Stabenow, and Cassidy for introducing the Preserving Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act and for their strong support for ground ambulance services and the communities and patients we serve,” said AAA President Randy Strozyk. “The disparity between Medicare reimbursement and the costs of providing services has grown significantly through reductions in reimbursement and skyrocketing expenses for labor, ambulances, and equipment. This bill would help reduce that gap and maintain access to vital ground ambulance services for communities around the country.”

The Senate version of the bill would go even further by increasing the add-on payment levels for urban from 2% to 3.4% urban, for rural from 3% to 4.3% rural and for super rural from 22.6% 26.2%. The last extension of the add-on payments was scheduled to end on December 31, 2022, but our champions on Capitol Hill were able to secure a two-year extension through December 31, 2024. The additional three-year extension is critical to keep the add-on payments in place through ambulance data collection and provide time to Congress to then use the data to reform the Medicare ambulance fee schedule.

Representatives Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Buddy Carter (R-GA) and Paul Tonko (D-NY) introduced the House version (H.R. 1666) of the bill on March 17. The House bill would be a three-year extension of the add-on payments at their present levels.

This progress is the result of tireless advocacy on the part of AAA volunteer leaders, staff, and consultants made possible by the sustained support of our members. It is critical that AAA members reach out to both their Senators and Representatives to cosponsor the respective versions of the Preserving Access to Ground Ambulance Services Act of 2023. It is vital that we generate a groundswell of support in the Congress for extending the add-on payments and will need that support to then also advocate for the higher add-on percentages when Congress negotiates on Medicare payment extensions.

Medicare Ambulance Relief Bill introduced in Senate

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

Yesterday, Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced the Protecting Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act of 2021 (S. 2037). Senators Cortez Masto and Collins were joined by Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Bernie Sanders (D-VT) as primary cosponsors and leads on the legislation.

S. 2037 is identical to H.R. 2454 by Representatives Terri Sewell (D-AL), Devin Nunes (R-CA), Peter Welch (D-VT) and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) and would extend the temporary Medicare ground ambulance increases of 2% urban, 3% rural and the super rural bonus payment for five years. The increases are currently scheduled to expire on December 31, 2022. The five-year extension would allow for the increases to remain in place during the two-year delay on ambulance data collection due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, an analysis of the data by MedPAC and subsequent action by the Congress to reform the Medicare ambulance fee schedule.

The legislation would also help ensure that rural zip codes in large urban counties remain rural following geographical changes under the fee schedule as a result of the 2020 census data. The current definition using rural urban commuting areas (RUCA) in Goldsmith Modification areas would be modified for zip codes with 1,000 people or less per square mile would also be rural. Ground ambulance service providers and suppliers could also petition the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to make the argument that a specific zip code should be rural. It is vital that this provision be implemented before CMS makes changes from the 2020 census data which will likely occur in 2023.

The AAA has been leading the effort on the legislation with the support of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of Fire Fighters, National Association of EMTs, National Rural Health Association and the National Volunteer Fire Council.

The AAA will be launching a Call to Action shortly requesting AAA members to ask their Senators to cosponsor S. 2037, and reach out to their Representatives to cosponsor H.R. 2454 if they have not already done so.

We greatly appreciate the leadership of Senators Cortez Masto, Collins, Stabenow, Cassidy, Leahy, and Sanders on this vitally important legislation.

2019 AAA Legislative Awards

Written by AAA Staff on . Posted in Awards, Legislative, Legislative Awards, News, Press, Stars of Life.

The American Ambulance Association is proud to announce the winners of the 2019 AAA Legislative Awards, in recognition of their strong advocacy for emergency medical services. Each legislator was chosen for their ongoing dedication to the ambulance services across the United States.

2019 AAA Legislator of the Year

Representative Terri Sewell (D-AL)

2019 AAA Legislative Recognition Award Recipients

Senators

  • Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D.
  • Senator Susan M. Collins
  • Senator Chuck Grassley
  • Senator Doug Jones
  • Senator Patrick J. Leahy
  • Senator Pat Roberts
  • Senator Charles E. Schumer
  • Senator Debbie Stabenow
  • Senator Jon Tester
  • Senator John Thune
  • Senator Ron Wyden

Representatives

  • Representative Earl Blumenauer
  • Representative Rosa DeLauro
  • Representative Debbie Dingell
  • Representative Richard Hudson
  • Representative Darin LaHood
  • Representative Markwayne Mullin
  • Representative Richard E. Neal
  • Representative Devin Nunes
  • Representative Steve Scalise
  • Representative Scott Tipton
  • Representative Fred Upton
  • Representative Greg Walden
  • Representative Peter Welch
  • Representative Lee Zeldin

Congress Passes SIREN Act

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

On December 12, 2018, Congress passed the 2018 Farm Bill (S. 3042) by a 386-47 vote in the House and 87 – 13 vote in the Senate. Included in the final Bill was language similar to the SIREN Act (S. 2830, H.R. 5429) to reauthorize the Rural EMS Grant program.

In an effort to ensure the funding would go to the most needy, small, and rural EMS providers, the language of the amendment and SIREN Act would change the eligibility to just governmental and non-profit EMS agencies. Therefore, small rural for-profit ambulance service providers would no longer be eligible to apply for grants – which haven’t been funded for over a decade. These grants would now provide funds up to $200,000 for training, equipment, and personnel retention in rural areas. The grants also require a 10% contribution by the grant recipient.

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will issue a guidance with the details on how these grants will be administered. Since the program has been unfunded for so long, it is unclear at this time, how it will be rolled out. HRSA will most likely follow past protocol providing details through guidance including how to submit and deadlines. The AAA will be sure to share additional details as soon as they become available.

While the AAA had advocated that language be revised to ensure small rural for-profit providers would still be able to apply for grants, we are happy to see this program reauthorized. The AAA was concerned not to push too hard for any changes because the House-passed version of the Farm Bill did not include the SIREN Act provision and didn’t want to give lawmakers any reason not to include the provision in the final Farm Bill.

Special thanks to the IAFC and NAEMT, and other partner organizations for all of their work in getting this legislation passed. The AAA would also like to thank members Congress who advocated for the passage of the SIREN Act including Senators Durbin, Roberts and Stabenow.

Senator Debbie Stabenow Named Legislator of the Year

Written by AAA Staff on . Posted in Awards, Government Affairs, Legislative, Legislative Awards, News, Stars of Life, Uncategorized.

For Immediate Release

Senator Debbie Stabenow To Receive Highest Legislative Honor From American Ambulance Association

To Be Recognized As AAA Legislator of the Year

Contact
Amanda Riordan
703-610-9018
ariordan@ambulance.org
www.ambulance.org

Washington, DC – The American Ambulance Association (AAA) will honor Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan with its Legislator of the Year Award in appreciation of her advocacy for emergency medical services.

Senator Stabenow is invited to receive this honor at the AAA’s Annual Stars of Life Recognition Ceremony on June 11 in Washington, D.C.

The Stars of Life program celebrates the contributions of ambulance professionals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in service to their communities or the EMS profession. The Stars of Life program pays tribute to the dedication of these heroes while shining light on the critical role EMS plays in our healthcare infrastructure. This year, 100 EMS professionals will be honored as 2018 Stars of Life. In addition to Senator Stabenow’s recognition as 2018 Legislator of the Year, 34 United States Senators and Representatives will receive Legislative Recognition Awards for their support of ambulance services.

Senator Stabenow was selected for the Legislator of the Year Award in thanks for leading the effort in the United States Senate that secured a five-year extension of the Medicare ambulance temporary add-on increases of 2% urban and 3% urban and the super rural bonus payment. Senator Stabenow also ensured that other key provisions for the industry were included in the passage of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018. Senator Stabenow continues to go above and beyond to ensure that EMS in Michigan and across the country, receive sustainable reimbursement.

AAA President Mark Postma notes, “Senator Stabenow has been a trusted advocate for health care and emergency medical services, both in Michigan and across our country. The AAA is proud to present her with the distinction of Legislator of the Year Award.”

Elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000, Senator Stabenow is the Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care, Chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Center, and Co-Chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, and bipartisan Senate Manufacturing Caucus.

In recognition of her ongoing service to the ambulance services of the United States, AAA is proud to call Senator Stabenow our Legislator of the Year.

# # #

About the American Ambulance Association

Founded in 1979, the AAA represents hundreds of ambulance services across the United States that participate in emergency and nonemergency care and medical transportation. The Association serves as a voice and clearinghouse for ambulance services, and views prehospital care not only as a public service, but also as an essential part of the total public health care system.

AAA Stars of Life

The Stars of Life program celebrates the contributions of ambulance professionals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in service to their communities or the EMS profession. Stars of Life honors the dedication of these heroes while shining light on the critical role EMS plays in our healthcare infrastructure. This year, 100 EMS professionals will be honored as the 2018 Stars of Life. Meet the stars at www.stars.ambulance.org.

AAA Mission Statement

The mission of the American Ambulance Association is to promote health care policies that ensure excellence in the ambulance services industry and provide research, education, and communications programs to enable its members to effectively address the needs of the communities they serve.

Senate Committee Draft Package with 5-year Ambulance Extender

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

Senate Committee Releases Draft Package with 5-year Ambulance Extender

The Senate Finance Committee has released a discussion draft of its Medicare provider extender package. A five-year extension of the temporary Medicare ambulance add-ons and a modified version of the cost data collection provision from the Medicare Ambulance Access, Fraud Prevention and Reform Act (S. 967) are included in the package. The ambulance provisions being part of the package marks significant progress in the Senate toward a long-term extension of the add-ons and a model cost data collection system.
A five-year extension of the 2% urban and 3% increases and the super rural bonus payment would provide approximately $1 billion in desperately needed Medicare relief for our industry. Having the increases in place for five years would give ambulance service suppliers and providers greater funding stability and help with long-term budgeting. There are now proposals in both the House and Senate with Committee backing which reflect a five-year extension of the add-ons.

The five-year extension reflects the efforts of our champions in the Senate on S. 967. The cost data collection system is also from S. 967 with modifications. Instead of a random sampling of ambulance service providers and suppliers a minimum of every three years, the sampling would occur each year for three years than a minimum of every three years. Also, in place of a 5% penalty in Medicare reimbursement for not submitting cost data if selected to report data, the penalty would be 10%. There is a hardship clause within the draft for CMS to work with ambulance service suppliers to ensure they are not penalized. The provision is also streamlined from the version introduced in S. 967.

We greatly appreciate the efforts of Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) as champions of S. 967 and Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) on getting the ambulance provisions into the draft. We also thank Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) as Chairman and Ranking Member respectively of the Senate Finance Committee for their support.

While the discussion draft includes the five-year extension of Medicare ambulance add-ons and cost data collection provisions, there is still a long way to go. If your Senators are not already cosponsors of S. 967, please reach out to them today and ask they cosponsor the bill. Write to your Senators using the AAA online letter writing tool below, or go to:  https://ambulance.org/advocacy/

Ask your Senators to Support S.967 – 2017 Medicare Ambulance Access, Fraud Prevention, and Reform Act

The current 33-month extension of the Medicare add-on payments is set to expire at the end of December 2017. Losing these add-on payments would be a devastating blow to ambulance services across the country. It is crucial that the payments be made permanent as we push for a long-term solution. More details about the Bill can be found below. Let your Senators know that you support S. 967 — Here are three quick and easy ways to get involved!

Writing to your members of Congress only takes 2 clicks, follow these simple steps:

1. Enter contact information below (required by Congressional offices) and click “Submit”
2. On the next page you’ll see the letter(s) to your Senators – click “Submit Messages”

Senator Stabenow Receives AAA Legislative Honor

Written by AAA Staff on . Posted in Awards, Legislative Awards, Press, Stars of Life.

Senator Debbie Stabenow Receives
2017 AAA Legislative Recognition Award

For Immediate Release
Contact:
Amanda Riordan
ariordan@ambulance.org
703-610-0264

Washington, DC – The American Ambulance Association (AAA) will honor Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan with a Legislative Recognition Award in appreciation of her advocacy for emergency medical services.

Senator Stabenow will be presented the award in June in Washington, DC by AAA’s Michigan Stars of Life—EMS personnel selected for their excellence and dedication. This year’s Stars from the Great Lakes State are Tracy Allen of American Medical Response, Bridget Dickert of LifeCare Ambulance Service, Donald Brown III of Jackson Community Ambulance/Emergent Health Partners, John Eilich III of Life EMS Ambulance, and Theresa Hartman of American Medical Response.

Senator Stabenow was selected for the Legislative Recognition Award in thanks for her long-standing support of the Medicare ambulance temporary add-on increases and the super rural bonus payment, as well as co-sponsorship of Medicare ambulance relief and reform legislation.

AAA President Mark Postma notes, “Senator Stabenow has been a trusted advocate for health care and emergency medical services, both in Michigan and across our country. The AAA is proud to present her with the Legislative Recognition Award.”

Elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000, Senator Stabenow is the Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care, Chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, Co-Chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, and Co-Chair of the bipartisan Senate Manufacturing Caucus.

# # #

About the American Ambulance Association

Founded in 1979, the AAA represents hundreds of ambulance services across the United States that participate in emergency and nonemergency care and medical transportation. The Association serves as a voice and clearinghouse for ambulance services, and views prehospital care not only as a public service, but also as an essential part of the total public health care system.

AAA Stars of Life

The Stars of Life program celebrates the contributions of ambulance professionals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in service to their communities or the EMS profession. Stars of Life honors the dedication of these heroes while shining light on the critical role EMS plays in our healthcare infrastructure. This year, 101 EMS professionals will be honored as the 2017 Stars of Life. Meet the stars at www.stars.ambulance.org.

AAA Mission Statement

The mission of the American Ambulance Association is to promote health care policies that ensure excellence in the ambulance services industry and provide research, education, and communications programs to enable its members to effectively address the needs of the communities they serve.

2017 AAA Legislative Awards

Written by AAA Staff on . Posted in Awards, Legislative Awards, News, Stars of Life.

The American Ambulance Association is proud to announce the winners of the 2017 AAA Legislative Awards, in recognition of their strong advocacy for emergency medical services. Each legislator was chosen for their ongoing service to the ambulance services of the United States.

2017 AAA Legislator of the Year

Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) – Press Release, Facebook Post, Twitter Post

2017 AAA Legislative Recognition Award Recipients

Senators

Representatives

AMERICAN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION
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Washington, DC 20090-6503
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