Connecticut House Bill HB06899

Connecticut 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/30/19
• Refer: 1/30/19

Caption

An Act Concerning Reimbursement Rates For Emergency Medical Services.

Impact

The implementation of HB 06899 is expected to have a significant positive impact on the financial viability of emergency medical service providers. By tying reimbursement rates to Medicare's cost-of-living adjustments, the bill ensures that ambulance services can maintain their operational capabilities without suffering from the adverse effects of underfunding. This is particularly important given that emergency medical services often operate under tight budgets and rely heavily on reimbursement for their financial health.

Summary

House Bill 06899 aims to amend the existing statutes concerning reimbursement rates for emergency medical services, specifically targeting ambulance services. The bill stipulates that the reimbursement rates must be adjusted in line with the cost-of-living adjustments put forth by the Medicare program. This proposal reflects an effort to ensure that ambulance services receive adequate funding that keeps pace with inflation and increased operational costs, critical for sustaining emergency services in the state.

Contention

While the bill received unanimous support during the initial voting process, there may be underlying concerns regarding its long-term impact on state budgets and healthcare funding. Stakeholders involved in healthcare finance may debate the implications for overall funding for emergency services, considering that mandated reimbursement increases could strain state resources. However, proponents argue that the sustained funding of emergency services is paramount to public safety and health, outweighing potential fiscal challenges.