EMS on the Hill: Vol. 3 No. 1, January 2009

Formatted Edition as PDF

Welcome to the latest issue of EMS on the Hill, a newsletter representing the work of a broad group of EMS organizations dedicated to achieving positive change and recognition for emergency medical services at the state and federal levels. In July 2007, this group of organizations met to review the recommendations of the 2006 IOM Crossroads report and develop priorities and action items to help make these recommendations reality. This newsletter will provide updates on those action items, plus discuss other critical industry issues.

NEMSAC GETS DOWN TO BUSINESS

A flurry of motions emerge from the EMS Advisory Council's fall meeting

The National EMS Advisory Council (NEMSAC) met last October in Arlington, VA, adopting several motions in furtherance of its mission to offer advice and recommendations to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Office of EMS.

Twenty-one of the council's 25 members attended the first day's meeting, and 20 the second. Also present were key members of the NHTSA and the Department of Homeland Security. NEMSAC's meetings are open to the public, and public attendance
included representatives of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of Fire Fighters, National Volunteer Fire Council and Advocates for EMS.

The first day began with a presentation and discussion concerning implementation of the EMS Education Agenda for the Future. Vermont EMS director Dan Manz, on behalf of the National Association of State EMS Officials, presented "A New Day in EMS: Education, Challenges and Opportunities With the EMS Education Agenda for the Future: A Systems Approach." Manz stressed the amount of work still required to implement the agenda, and the group discussed existing gaps in EMS education.

Committee chairs then provided overviews of their groups' activities and recommendations. These included the Systems; Safety; Analysis, Oversight & Research; Education & Workforce; and Finance committees.

Day two included a motion from member Kurt Krumperman, on behalf of the Finance Committee, requesting that NHTSA seek from FICEMS (the Federal Interagency Committee on EMS) the highest priority in implementing the Institute of Medicine's recommendation that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) assemble an ad hoc working group with expertise in emergency care, trauma, and EMS systems to evaluate EMS reimbursement and make a recommendation with regard to including readiness costs and permitting payment without transport. All members were in favor, and the motion passed.

On behalf of the Analysis, Oversight & Research Committee, Ritu Sahni offered a resolution proclaiming that, in the interests of providing the most appropriate quality healthcare to patients, NEMSAC adopt "Establishing a Culture of Safety: A National Strategy," with the development of a National Strategic Consensus Project. Again, all were in favor, and the motion passed.

NHTSA EMS director Drew Dawson noted recent changes in leadership at FICEMS. Dr. Jeff Runge, the previous chair, is no longer in federal service, and Dr. Jon Krohmer was elected as chair for the remainder of 2008. The committee's vice chair, Dr. Kevin Yeskey, was to take over as chair in December. Dawson explained the FICEMS Technical Working Group (TWG), whose members meet monthly to assess implementation of FICEMS' guiding Work Plan and determine strategies for collaboration, and highlighted two recent FICEMS position statements: