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Federal EMS Efficiency Act introduced National Volunteer Fire Council WASHINGTON, D.C. — On September 9, Congressman Bill Luther (D-MN) introduced the Emergency Medical Services Efficiency Act in the House of Representatives. The legislation, H.R. 2831, would amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure Medicare reimbursement for certain ambulance services, and to improve the efficiency of the emergency medical system. In order to achieve this goal, the bill would provide for the reimbursement of ambulance services under Medicare based on the "prudent layperson" definition of emergency, rather than the ultimate diagnosis in the emergency room. In addition, it would ensure EMS agencies are eligible for participation in federal grant programs related to rural development, highway transportation, tele-health, and education and research projects specific to highways under the ISTEA legislation. The legislation would also establish a Federal Commission on Emergency Ambulance Services (FCEAS), of which the National Volunteer Fire Council would participate in. The Senate version of the bill (S. 911) was introduced earlier this year by Senator Rod Grams (R-MN). Status: The Senate version was introduced on April 29th and referred to the Committee on Finance. The House version was introduced September 9 and referred to the Committee on Commerce, the Committee on Ways and Means, and the Committee on Agriculture.
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