As of right now, EMS systems administrative policy comes from the Department of Transportation and not the Department of Health and Human Services. This leaves the car in the hands of unqualified politicians and reduces the quality of care our patients receive and the respect members of the community receive.
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To expand on this, EMS was placed there back in the 1970s as that was the only only government agency that had additional funding to give to states to start EMS agencies. The fact that it has remained under the DOT for 50 years when states have rightfully moved EMS under their Departments of Health is criminal.
EMS is in crisis all over the country and lack of funding is the main reason. Since EMS isn’t recognized as healthcare, EMS providers are only able to bill insurance companies for the transport to the hospital.
They cannot bill for the cost of the medications they administered prior to or during transport or for any other supplies . If they treat & release a patient, they are out money for medications & supplies.
EMS agencies across the country, private & municipal run, are left to pay for their medications, medical supplies, ambulances and personnel on their own. And they are struggling to do it.
EMS is an essential service and should be rightfully recognized as such at the federal level. In the last 15 years, the need for this profession has increased significantly and it’s time to make the changes to policy to address the challenges it faces.
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