SENATE PASSES BILL TO ALLOW PRIVATE AIR AMBULANCE SERVICES TO OFFER MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I - Schenectady) announced that he and his colleagues in the New York State Senate passed legislation on June 20th that would allow private air ambulance services to offer membership subscriptions to private air ambulance services. This proposal would help ensure the continuation of air ambulance services in rural areas of New York State.

The low call volume and the expense of running a full-time air ambulance service, has made it difficult to attract companies to New York's rural regions. Allowing air ambulance companies to solicit membership subscriptions would mediate the high cost of doing business in New York.

Under current law, soliciting of membership subscriptions for air ambulance services is considered a form of medical insurance. This bill (S.4712) amends the Insurance Law which includes a host of instances when certain parties are exempt from licensing and other requirements adds any private air ambulance service that solicits membership subscriptions, accepts membership applications, charges membership fees, and provides air ambulance services to the list.

The bill was sent to the Assembly.