Connecticut House Bill HB07320

Connecticut 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/19
• Refer: 3/7/19

Caption

An Act Concerning Emergency Air Ambulance Services.

Impact

Upon implementation, HB 7320 is expected to affect healthcare providers significantly by requiring them to maintain better records regarding emergency air transport. This may encourage hospitals and related institutions to assess their transport practices and costs while providing valuable data that could help state officials monitor trends and potential abuses in billing practices. With more structured reporting, the state could also explore reforms to control and regulate air ambulance costs more effectively.

Summary

House Bill 7320 is designed to enhance oversight and regulation of emergency air ambulance services in Connecticut. The bill mandates that all healthcare institutions licensed in the state must report to the Commissioner of Public Health regarding their use of emergency air ambulance transport services. This includes data on each transport instance, detailing the service provider, whether it is the primary responder, and the charges incurred for the service. The goal of this legislation is to bring transparency and accountability to the use of air ambulance services, which are critical in emergencies but often faced scrutiny due to the high costs associated with them.

Contention

Noteworthy discussions around HB 7320 centered on the balance between ensuring quality emergency services and managing costs. Proponents argue that the bill is necessary to safeguard patients from exorbitant charges and to ensure they understand the financial implications of using certain ambulance services. Critics, however, voice concerns that additional regulations might complicate access to these critical services, especially in emergency situations where delays could adversely impact patient outcomes. This tension highlights the broader issues of healthcare access and financial sustainability in emergency medical services.