This Week in EMS: EMS Lobbyists Watch Obama

Sign up here to receive the EMS Weekly Recap in your e-mail.

This week's news was thoroughly dominated by the U.S. presidential election of Barack Obama, whose stated plans for healthcare reform may one day have far-reaching effects on EMS. His stated priorities include working toward universal healthcare coverage. National developments are being closely watched by the group Advocates for EMS and the EMS lobbyist group Cornerstone Government Affairs.

For a feel-good Election Day story, read about voter Betty Owen, 92: Determined Texas Woman, 92, Votes in Ambulance.

---

Denver, Colorado is putting a stop to the controversial way that response times have been measured there, the mayor's office announced Wednesday. Response times will now be calculated from the moment a call is answered by a dispatcher - not when an ambulance is free to respond. Paramedics had argued against the lenient method of calculation.

For further details visit: Denver Addresses Response Time Controversy.

---

Chicago is giving back $6.9 million in fees collected from Medicare for ambulance transport, it was announced this week. The billing disputes stem from 3 kinds of scenarios: when transport was deemed unnecessary; when two people were transported in the same ambulance and Medicare was billed twice; and when patient signatures were not obtained, sometimes because the patient was incapacitated.

This comes at a time when the city is nearly doubling ambulance fees and struggling to raise collection rates. As a result of the situation, Fire Commissioner John Brookes reported that 50 city paramedics have been disciplined for billing mistakes.

For further details visit: Chicago Refunds $6.9M in Ambulance Fees.

---

EMS Magazine Online Exclusive:

The New Jersey EMS Task Force: Special Capabilities for Special Situations

By Mark A. Merlin, DO, EMT-P, FACEP; John J. Grembowicz, Sr., EMT-P; Henry P. Cortacans, MICP, NREMT-P; William Gluckman, DO, EMT-P, FACEP; & Louis A. Sasso, MBA, NREMT-P

This article is a companion piece to the Sept. 2008 EMS Magazine article Docs on Demand: New Jersey incorporates a physician go-team into its response arsenal.

"Officials in 2003 proposed the New Jersey EMS Task Force (EMSTF), a state resource designed to fill gaps in response using a well-coordinated all-hazards approach and working through the state's emergency management system," the authors write.

"This ongoing project is far from complete, but the anticipation of having a well-organized statewide group of specialized prehospital care providers and EMS physicians is now within reach in New Jersey. We feel our state's model can serve as a guide to other states looking to improve, specialize and unify EMS assets statewide."

---

Featured Column:

5 Simple Wellness Strategies

"This month, as we rapidly roll into the holiday season I thought it would be a good idea to start thinking about our wellness," writes EMS fitness and wellness author Bryan Fass. "As I have been fond of saying year after year, now that it is officially fall, SUMMER IS COMING... I thought I could give some simple wellness tips to help you stay ahead of the curve this year."

---

Featured Job:

EMT, Paramedic - Columbia County, FL

The posted salary for these positions are $27,000 EMT; $30,328 Paramedic Driver. The closing date for applications is Nov. 14.

Click above for details and visit www.EMSResponder.com/jobs for additional listings including:

• EMS Analyst - San Joaquin County, CA
• Clinical Coordinator -- UMBC, Baltimore, MD
• Paramedic -- Aspen, CO

---

Featured Forum Thread:

EMT-B's and Combitubes

"In NC, EMT-B's in some counties are allowed to use Combitubes, or King Airway type devices without ALS present" writes achief15. "We will be training on them and adding these to our jump bags at our fire department (BLS, no transport). Just curious how many other states are doing this, and if any of you carry them as part of your first responder programs."