Several critical pieces of pro-EMS legislation passed through the New York State Legislature this month, and they now sit at the governor’s desk to be signed into law.
These bills, dubbed as part of the “Rescue EMS” legislative package, are aimed at enhancing support for emergency medical service providers. They provide crucial progressive measures to the state EMS system, including improvements to transport efficiency, emergency protocol, and compensation for New York EMS professionals.
“The unanimous passage of these bills marks a significant milestone for EMS providers and the communities they serve,” said Alanna Badgley, IAEP Local 20 President. “These legislative measures address vital issues and provide much-needed resources to ensure the continued effectiveness and safety of EMS operations across New York. We now urge the governor to sign these bills and put them into action.”
Specifically, key components of the legislation include Medicaid reimbursements for EMS agencies providing emergency medical care without requiring patient transportation, thereby reducing unnecessary hospital visits, enablement of advanced life support first responders to administer blood transfusions during transport and ultimately enhance patient care during emergencies, and introduction of a a real property tax exemption to certain volunteers who live in such municipality but who serve in a neighboring municipality.
Notably missing from the package, however, was S.4020-C (Mayer) / A.3392-C (Otis), a bill that aimed to designate EMS as an essential service in the state. The essential status bill passed unanimously in the Senate but did not make it out of the Assembly.
The EMS Sustainability Alliance (EMSSA), a nonprofit organized by Badgley and Local 20 to advocate for EMS professionals and create positive change in this field, started the Make EMS Essential movement in 2021 to endorse and elevate the fight for essential status.
Over the years, EMSSA has organized legislative, community, and political actions to educate and urge both civilians and legislators to support legislation that recognizes EMS as an essential service in New York and beyond.
Badgley expressed disappointment in the exclusion of the essential status bill from the package that reached the governor’s desk, but remained hopeful that the organization will continue to affect equitable and sustainable improvements on EMS.
“We remain dedicated to our ongoing efforts of achieving essential status for EMS in New York and nationwide, as well as making sure every EMS professional is provided the wages, benefits, mental health resources, working conditions, and workplace protections that they deserve," said Badgley.
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