Emergency medical transport providers, assessment period extended
Impact
By extending the assessment, SB199 seeks to ensure the continued availability of emergency medical transport services, which are essential for the healthcare system, particularly in providing care to indigent populations. The proposed legislation is designed to maintain funding that assists providers in delivering services critical to patient care and health outcomes, signifying the importance of stable funding streams in healthcare delivery.
Summary
SB199 proposes an extension of the assessment period for emergency medical transport providers, allowing them to continue paying a quarterly assessment used for additional Medicaid enhancement payments. The current assessment is set to expire at the end of the fiscal quarter beginning July 1, 2024, and this bill aims to extend it until July 1, 2025. This move is intended to provide ongoing support for the maintenance and expansion of emergency medical services throughout Alabama.
Contention
Although the bill aims to secure funding for necessary services, it may raise concerns among stakeholders regarding the overall financial burden on emergency medical transport providers. Discussions around similar legislative measures often involve scrutiny of how such assessments impact service costs and availability for communities. There may also be debates regarding the reliance on assessments for funding essential services, leading to potential calls for alternative funding mechanisms.
Voting_history
SB199 was voted on April 4, 2024, with a unanimous decision of 30 'yeas' and 0 'nays' during the motion to read a third time and pass, indicating strong bipartisan support for the bill and its objectives within the legislative body.
Emergency medical transport providers, assessment imposed for the maintenance and expansion of emergency medical transport services through additional Medicaid enhancement payments, methodology for calculation of assessment and rate provided, and effective period for assessment provided, Secs 40-26B-90 to 40-26B-99, inclusive, added.
"Medicaid Transportation Brokerage Program Oversight and Accountability Act"; establishes vehicle, staffing, and performance standards, and review and reporting requirements for non-emergency medical transport provided under Medicaid transportation brokerage program.
"Medicaid Transportation Brokerage Program Oversight and Accountability Act"; establishes vehicle, staffing, and performance standards, and review and reporting requirements for non-emergency medical transport provided under State's non-emergency medical transportation brokerage program.
Authorizes transportation network companies to provide nonemergency medical transportation services through the state Medicaid program and all other publicly and privately issued health insurance plans (EG INCREASE GF EX See Note)
Authorizes transportation network companies to provide nonemergency medical transportation services through the state Medicaid program (EN GF EX See Note)
"Medicaid Transportation Brokerage Program Oversight and Accountability Act"; establishes vehicle, staffing, and performance standards, and review and reporting requirements for non-emergency medical transport provided under State's non-emergency medical transportation brokerage program.
Authorizes transportation network companies to provide nonemergency medical transportation services through the state Medicaid program (OR INCREASE GF EX See Note)