But, with a federal law - the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) - which requires medical transport providers to care for all patients regardless of ability to pay, "if we do not cover our costs, we will soon be out of service," Thomson said. "From the standpoint of emergency care providers, a system of universal coverage, therefore, would also ensure greater coverage of costs."
In addition, the system is in need of greater transparency in order to reduce confusing and time-consuming paperwork burdens, differing payment rates and insurance-coverage discrepancies. To help streamline healthcare, AAMS encourages Congress to incorporate proposals for universal information technology.
Other reform recommendations include revamping Medicare reimbursement to include a differential for using the latest aviation and medical-safety technologies; reimbursing emergency medical services (EMS) for the cost of 24-hour preparedness; funding EMS-related research and education; providing incentives for promoting a greater culture of safety; and strengthening ties between EMS, disaster preparedness and public health services.
Finally, AAMS is particularly concerned that sufficient funding be allocated for disaster response. "If there is another Hurricane Katrina or other disaster, be it natural or manmade, we must ensure the ability to transport mass numbers of patients," Thomson testified. "And while it is true that much has been done to address bioterrorism and the growing threat of pandemic flu, it remains that little funding has been devoted to strengthening our emergency-care response and transport system.
"We do have faith, however, that the current healthcare reform effort will help shore up our EMS system before - not after - disaster strikes," he added. "And we respectfully ask that no matter what changes are made, that sufficient money is allocated to allow us to continue this most critical of missions."
About AAMS - The Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) is the trade association serving the entire air and critical care ground medical transport community. AAMS, together with its charitable arm, the Foundation for Air Medical Research and Education (FARE), strives to enhance the medical transport industry by promoting the highest level of industry safety; promoting quality patient care; inspiring commitment to the industry's work, causes, and viability; and providing superior service to its members. For details, see www.aams.org.
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