Guest guest Posted February 13, 2000 Report Share Posted February 13, 2000 SOURCE: Asbury Park NJ Press - Print Circ 160,324 SUPPLIER: World Wide Web DATE: 02-09-2000 HEADLINE: Published in the Asbury Park Press 2/09/00 February 9, 2000 Story Search Volunteer first-aiders fear federal rules may end squads By JOE ADELIZZI TOMS RIVER BUREAU FIRST AID squads in the state have begun writing Congress in hopes of preventing what they contend may be changes in the way emergency medical services are provided in New Jersey. Sue Caputo of the New Jersey Association of Paramedic Programs and Aberger of the New Jersey State First Aid Council put together information packets that local squads are asked to send to their congressional representatives. The squads are sending letters, saying the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 which directed federal agencies to reduce expenditures will eliminate payment to paramedics who ride with volunteer first aid squads. Volunteer first aid squads respond to 80 percent of calls in the state, according to the state first aid council. First aid squad officials say the federal Health Care Financing Administration has begun developing a new Medicare/Ambulance Fee Schedule that will substantially reduce reimbursement paid for advanced life-support services. " New Jersey is unique in how first aid operates, " said Rusty Milling, the vice president for the 15th District of the state first aid council, which includes most Ocean County units. " We use (volunteer) first aid squad ambulances at no cost. The hospital includes paramedics, who provide services and bill patients. " Prehospital care is provided by a two-tiered system. Basic life support is provided by volunteer first aid squads staffed by emergency medical technicians, who treat and transport patients in their ambulances at no charge. Added to this is an advanced life support system provided primarily by paid hospital-based paramedics. They work together, the volunteers driving the ambulance and the paramedics providing medical service, according to Milling. Milling and the state first aid council believes it is likely that there will be no reimbursement for paramedics, unless they also staff the ambulances, when the Health Care Financing Administration receives recommendations from the National Rulemaking Committee Monday. " If that's the case, hospitals will have to provide the ambulances, and that would end the volunteer system as we know it, " said Milling.Joe Adelizzi: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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