Arizona House Bill HB2661

Arizona 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/28/25

Caption

Certificates of necessity; exemption

Impact

The implications of HB2661 are significant for both the regulatory landscape and public safety. By potentially allowing certain ambulance services to operate without a certificate of necessity, the bill could streamline the application process for those already interconnected with health facilities. Supporters of this bill argue that it could improve response times and resource allocation, making emergency medical services more efficient. However, concerns have been raised regarding oversight and the potential for reduced standards of emergency service provision.

Summary

House Bill 2661, also known as the certificates of necessity exemption, seeks to amend certain sections of the Arizona Revised Statutes relating to emergency medical services. The bill proposes to revise the criteria under which a certificate of necessity is issued to individuals or organizations wishing to operate an ambulance service in the state. This bill primarily focuses on delineating the conditions under which an applicant may be exempt from needing a certificate, especially addressing circumstances for intrafacility transports and those services owned by healthcare institutions.

Contention

A notable point of contention surrounding HB2661 revolves around the balance between facilitating access to emergency services and maintaining rigorous standards for public safety. Critics fear that exempting services from the certificate requirement may lead to issues with service reliability, oversight, and quality control. The exemption provisions could result in various services operating under different standards, creating a potential for disparity in emergency medical response across regions. Furthermore, the definition of 'public necessity' and how this will be assessed also remains a debated issue among stakeholders.