WASHINGTON, D.C. -- EMS personnel from across the country are headed to the Hill today to ask for support on some very vital pieces of legislation.
Last week the fire service met in D.C. for the annual CFSI event and now it's their counterparts' turn to approach members of Congress with their concerns.
Organizers of the first EMS on the Hill Day are elated by the response from responders. About 150 people have registered to participate.
"This is a monumental event…This has far surpassed what we envisioned," said Jerry Johnston, one of the primary organizers and past NAEMT president.
Johnston told the group during a meeting Monday night it was important that legislators receive a clear and concise message from EMS.
The three major issues they are carrying to legislators today include:
- Support for a bill that would provide permanent Medicare reimbursement relief for ambulance services (a six percent increase) for transports originating in urban or suburban areas as well as a MMA bonus payment for trips in super rural areas.
- Support for all EMS personnel – for-profit or non-profit – to be eligible for PSOB benefits if they are killed in the line of duty.
- Help on a measure currently being developed that would promote patient-centered, medically directed evidence-based, cost effective and safe field EMS across the country to enhance readiness.
Participants, some of whom indicated it's their first trip to the nation's capital, received a briefing on how best to use the precious time they get with their representatives.
Lisa Tofil, of Holland and Knight, a lobbying firm, said it was essential for them to do their homework before they go to determine if their elected official is signed onto a bill.
She encouraged them to be straight forward, and tell their representatives why they are there, and what they want.
Johnston called the event "monumental."
Susan Nicol | News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.
