EMS providers are applauding state representatives today for the introduction of House Bill 4249, a bipartisan supplemental budget bill that would compensate EMS agencies for unpaid emergency care provided at Michigan Department of Corrections prisons. The bill is sponsored by state Rep. Will Snyder with more than 20 legislative co-sponsors from both sides of the aisle.
The bipartisan supplemental budget bill aims to address the nearly $6 million in bills that have not been paid for emergency services provided at Michigan Department of Corrections’ prisons through its former healthcare provider Wellpath.
This lack of payment has caused at least 15 providers across the state to deal with serious financial woes. Most dire is the situation in the Eastern Upper Peninsula, where delinquent payments of nearly $500,000 owed to Kinross EMS put the agency less than a month from closing its doors.
“The introduction of this budget supplemental shows that state representatives are prioritizing the health and safety of our communities by working to fix this crisis before communities are left without emergency care,” said Angela Madden, executive director of the Michigan Association of Ambulance Services. “We applaud legislators for focusing on fixing this health and safety issue and encourage its swift approval to protect emergency services across the state.”
The lack of compensation continues to strain emergency response agencies, putting emergency care in jeopardy while leaving Michiganders vulnerable when they need help most. As EMS agencies are required under Michigan law to respond to all 9-1-1 requests, the State of Michigan must compensate EMS agencies for the outstanding MDOC bills.
EMS providers testified on the need for reimbursement through a supplemental budget bill last Thursday before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Corrections & Judiciary.
““EMS providers are always there when people need them most and it’s time for to right this wrong before life-saving services are impacted,” said Jeff White, chief of Richmond Lenox EMS, serving portions of Macomb and St. Clair Counties. “We urge swift bipartisan action to preserve emergency care across our state.”
Comments