KAPA responds to retirement and Medicaid issues

Kentucky Ambulance Providers Association Press Release

GLASGOW — The Kentucky Ambulance Providers Association, (KAPA), in a press release from KAPA President Mike Swift, expressed KAPA’s opposition to the passage of Senate Bill 205 and companion House Bill 547 as it relates to EMS personnel and hazardous duty retirement.

In addition, KAPA expressed concern over both Governor Patton’s elimination of Medicare co-payments by the Medicaid program and the possible elimination of Medicaid payments to Kentucky’s ambulance providers for all non-emergency ambulance transportation.

In a written statement, Swift wrote; "These proposed bills, SB205 and HB547, represent a slap in the face to Kentucky’s EMS community. At a time when EMS often constitutes the sick or injured’s first contact with medical care, not to mention serving as first responders in potential biological and terrorist’s attacks, legislation is being proposed that will eliminate EMS workers from participation in the hazardous duty retirement program, decrease retirees medical benefits and require retirees to work additional years before drawing their full retirement. While state and local government employees will be impacted by the proposed legislation, the author of this proposed legislation has conveniently excluded himself and members of the Legislature from its provisions. This is certainly not fair to the EMS community or the citizens of the Commonwealth and it should not be tolerated."

Swift also expressed KAPA’s displeasure with Governor Patton’s elimination of the payment of Medicare co-payments to Kentucky’s ambulance providers by the Medicaid program. Swift wrote; "The elimination of the Medicare co-payments by Medicaid not only impacts every ambulance provider, but also every community and citizen in the Commonwealth. These cuts have already resulted in at least one ambulance provider, (Wolfe County in Eastern Kentucky), considering closure due to the reductions in their Medicaid revenue while other ambulance providers throughout the state will be impacted financially in varying degrees and may be forced to consider similar action or other options."

As if this is not enough, KAPA was informed last Thursday that the next round of budget cuts being considered by the Governor may eliminate Medicaid payments to Kentucky’s ambulance providers for all non-emergency ambulance transportation. Swift stated; "Should this proposed cut occur, it could likely be the proverbial straw that breaks the camel’s back and could easily result in a very real ambulance crisis for the entire state. It is KAPA’s sincere hope that the Governor will reconsider the elimination of Medicaid payments to Kentucky’s ambulance providers, restore the Medicaid payments and thereby prevent an EMS crisis from occurring in the Commonwealth."

Members of KAPA will be meeting in the Rotunda of the Capitol today at 12:00 PM to discuss further action.

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