Senator Gallivan Announces Passage of Measures Supporting EMS Providers

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R-C, Elma) announces the New York State Senate has passed a legislative package of bills aimed at supporting emergency medical service providers and improving emergency care. The five pieces of legislation were co-sponsored by Senator Gallivan and address financial and operational challenges facing many EMS organizations.

“The men and women who provide emergency medical services across New York State are on the frontlines of our healthcare system,” Senator Gallivan said. “We must ensure they have the personnel and resources necessary to respond to the life-saving needs of residents, especially in rural areas of the state.  These measures will enhance the safety of all New Yorkers.”

Bills approved by the Senate include:

• S7286A – The legislation increases the state’s personal income tax credit for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers from $200 to $800 for individuals and from $400 to $1600 for eligible married joint filers. The tax credit was implemented in 2007 but has never been raised.     
• S8486B - Allows Medicaid reimbursements to EMS agencies for providing service to Medicaid enrollees without requiring the transportation of these patients.  It would also permit Medicaid payments to be made to EMS services when they transport individuals to alternative care facilities. 
• S6226A – The bill permits ambulance services and advanced life support first response service providers to store and distribute blood and initiate and administer blood transfusions.
• S5122 – Allows the NYS Department of Health to charge ambulance service providers a universal service assessment fee to cover increased medical assistant payment rates for their services.
• S4020C – Declares general ambulance service to be an "essential service" and requires that every county, city, town and village, acting individually or jointly, or in conjunction with a special district, ensure that an emergency medical service, a general ambulance service, or a combination of such services is provided for.

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