twspencer

Link above takes you to EMS Listserve... site of State of Idaho news...must register first Also...please post any concerns or questions on this forum... This committee is talking of presenting this information to the National level Travis Spencer Paramedic

Idaho State EMS has a task force developed that has been attempting to rewrite all laws concerning the way EMS is run. Below is a list of things that they are proposing. Please be aware that this will give the Fire Department's and City the ability to control how EMS is ran. State EMS has led a task force comprised of fire department interests to make changes to Idaho Code that will dismantle ambulance districts and place the control of EMS in the hands of cities (fire departments) and fire districts. If you are non-fire based EMS you have not and cannot be represented on the task force. Included below are the highlights of the draft legislation. You should be very concerned by the lack of representation for all EMS agencies and the nature of this legislative change. Oh, and by the way, you are not supposed to see the task force's document. EMS CODE DRAFT LEGISLATION HIGHLIGHTS • All ambulance districts become "Emergency Medical Services System (EMSS) Districts" • All counties in which no ambulance district exists form an EMSS district • The governing board of the EMSS district can be either county commissioners or a three person board of one mayor or city councilperson, one fire district commissioner, and one county commissioner • The county commissioners, or the majority of fire districts, or the majority of cities can change the governing board to the multi- governmental configuration • The governing board makes fmal decisions and has most customary powers and duties normally associated with cities, fire districts, and counties. • An EMSS district may be comprised of two or more counties when the boards so desire and agree • Language guides annexation or contractual coverage of areas in adjacent counties when geographically necessary or a jurisdiction straddles the county line. • An EMSS district levy is optional and can be instituted initially, preserved at the level previously assessed as an ambulance district, adjusted within the levy cap, or implemented at a later time • The governing board sets the fees charged for EMS agency responses and services; all revenues are deposited into the dedicated district fund along with proceeds from motor vehicle registrations • The governing board may create a capital improvement account • All remaining sections of ambulance district code would be repealed • Each district will have a broader administrative authority (4 persons) comprised of the governing board flanked by a chief administrative official representing ambulance services in the district, a chief administrative official representing non-transport services in the district, a representative of an area hospital or clinic district, where available, and the chairman or designee of the medical authority (described below) for the system area. • Representatives are selected by the respective groups i.e. cities, fire districts, county, and hospitals. If the groups cannot decide the Board will decide among names submitted. • The administrative authority ("authority") is responsible for the EMSS district operations plan and contracts under which the individual EMS agencies may be paid. • Failure to submit an operations plan may result in state fines against the district and/or the parent organizations responsible for EMS agency operations • EMS Bureau rules will outline the specific requirements for operations plans and definitions, calculation methods, etc. to be used in those plans and the implementation dates for the plans • Authority members serve for a three year term or until the conclusion of their term of office or resignation, whichever comes first. Individuals can serve multiple terms. • Every EMS agency is subject to the authority of and must participate in the district. • Every EMS agency is "grandfathered" at their current licensure level. • The authority is responsible for district budget management and operations planning. • The authority recommends to the Board which EMS agencies may change their clinical or transport capability, and which new EMS agencies should be permitted to operate in the district. • Unresolved disputes between local government or a local EMS agency and the board must submit to mediation by the EMS Bureau before filing a lawsuit • Upon dissolution of a fire district all remaining funds shall be used for the provision of EMS within the EMSS district • An area of a city that is within a fire district which is also the provider of the ambulance service to that area of the city can only withdraw from the district with the consent of the EMSS district board • The EMS.Iaws about agency licensure will be rewritten to align with the requirement for district authority consent for licensure • Fines will be the primary method of penalty for agencies failing to conform to district or state requirements. • Hospital-based EMS agencies and issues relating to interfacility transfers are currently still under discussion. • The authority may recommend to the Board limits or setting conditions on agencies that provide non-emergency medical transportation • The district must have a "medical authority" • A medical authority may be configured in different ways depending on how many physicians serve as medical directors of local EMS agencies • Unresolved disputes within the medical authority that remain unresolved after being presented to the board for which any party is inclined to file a lawsuit must first present for mediation before the EMS Physician Commission PLEASE VOICE YOUR CONCERNS TO: http://groups.google.com/group/IdahoEMS