By Samantha Hilker, PAAW

On November 1, 2017 EMS providers of all backgrounds and service levels gathered at the Capitol to learn about the legislative process as well as the current bills and initiatives impacting EMS; the afternoon would be spent meeting with the Representatives and Senators for their political districts to discuss Community EMS (CEMS), EMS volunteer incentives, 911 Dispatcher-assisted bystander CPR, and levy limits on EMS services. 

As the attendees arrived and started filing in the room, the mood was light – full of laughter, the chatter of catching up with old friends and making new ones.  A subtle excitement filled the room as John Eich, Director of the Wisconsin Office of Rural Health, started the program by highlighting the important work and unprecedented collaboration of all four organizations in the room: Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin (PAAW), Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin (PFFW), Wisconsin EMS Association and Wisconsin (WEMSA), and the Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs Association (WSFCA).  Representatives Shankland, Loudenbeck and Kolste joined the group for a panel discussion.  Each of them have been major supporters of legislation that will help lead EMS into the future including AB-151 (Community EMS) which was unanimously passed by the Assembly earlier this year, and was also unanimously passed by the Senate on October 31^st -- and is currently awaiting Governor Walker’s signature.  The Representatives took questions from the group and gave direct feedback, answers, and recommendations. 

As the morning program concluded, lunch was served and the 105 (yes, 105!) attendees made their way across the street for meetings with their legislators.  After a quick pause on the steps for a group photo, the individual meetings with the Representatives and Senators began.  Having had the opportunity to sit in on several of the meetings, it was encouraging to see the individual EMS provider shake off any nerves they may have had about meeting with an elected official, and gain confidence as the conversation continued.

“The ability to have face time with the policy makers – to have conversations with them and watch the light bulbs come on as they begin to understand the impact the policies can have on EMS, is invaluable” said Amber Osowski, EMS Coordinator for Portage County. 

Feedback from EMS leaders and providers following the day’s events was resoundingly positive.  What were the most valuable moments of the day?

• Face time with elected officials
• The opportunity to have a conversation versus listening to a speech or a pitch
• Seeing private EMS, hospital based EMS, 3^rd party services, County services, Firefighters, leadership,  and clinical providers in one space at one time with the same goals
• These officials truly want to add to their network and hear from us, we should continue with the large effort but also make individual commitments to speak to them more about what matters to us
• The education on the legislative process – walking away with a better understanding of the amount of effort that goes into positive change on a larger scale

More than one attendee reported thinking about seeking out elected officials to discuss items important to EMS on one or more occasions, but admitted they probably wouldn’t have taken the time to do it on their own; some reporting they wouldn’t have known where to start if they had tried to do it on their own.

(Photo insert, Senator Mark Miller, Kristopher Loy and Steve Wunsch during Wisconsin EMS Legislative Day.  See more photos https://www.facebook.com/paaw.us/)

Brian Randall, paramedic and one of the 2017 Star of Life recipients shared his thoughts on the day: “I feel a sense of pride.  Proud of the fact that we can all put personal agendas aside and come together in common goals that serve the patient.  Proud that our collective voice is respected by the Legislators and they actually want to hear what we have to say.”

While the number of attendees equaled roughly one half of one percent of all licensed EMS professionals in the state, attendance far exceeded initial expectations for this inaugural event and sets a goal for coming years.  If you’re interested in getting more involved and staying informed, visit www.paaw.us and tune into our bi-weekly EMS Live in Wisconsin podcast where we’re always discussing current events, trends, and initiatives in EMS.  Reach out to your representatives and get involved; grab a friend and join us for EMS at the Capitol in 2018!

RESOURCES:

Interactive map: find your representatives
http://maps.legis.wisconsin.gov/#

Current copy of bills / LRB / summary sheets

Cover letter/contact information for collaborating professional associations

State Capitol

The Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin is pleased to share the Senate version of the community paramedicine bill was passed unanimously on October 31!  The Assembly's version passed a few months ago.  That’s both houses passing it without a single ‘nay’ vote. 

Now, on to the Governor’s desk for signature and becoming law.

State Capitol

On Wednesday, November 1, over 100 people have registered to participate in the first Wisconsin EMS Day at the State Capitol in Madison.  Participants will receive a briefing in the morning and then in the afternoon complete legislative visits. 

This is a critical time for EMS.  Volunteerism is down, levy limits and dwindling reimbursements are affecting funding to EMS, and services are struggling to keep ambulances staffed and their doors open.  The goal on November 1 is to talk with legislators about:

• Tax incentives to recruit and retain volunteers
• Lifting levy limits for EMS services
• Reducing unnecessary calls through use of Community Paramedics and Community EMT's

Wisconsin EMS Day Agenda - November 1

10:00 am         Welcome  History: Legislative Study Committee, EMS Day Committee, reasons for EMS Day. 

10:30 am         Legislative speaker panel - Rep. Shankland, Rep. Loudenbeck, Rep. Kolste 

11:00 am         Advocacy 101 - what a visit looks like

11:30 am         Go through meeting packets

12:00 pm         Lunch served and dismissal to legislative visits

State Capitol

State Capitol

Advocacy

Members of the Transportation Advisory Council, which includes the Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin, recently authored a joint letter to the Wisconsin Department of Health (DHS) with several recommendations to improve the program as it moves forward.  The transportation contract is issued by the state and will be bid out sometime in 2018.

One recommendation offered in the letter is to remove non-emergency "ambulance" from covered services in the upcoming bid.  >> Click to review letter.

Since 2011, non-emergency ambulance transportation was first included in the broker model.  Broker services began with Logisticare and later changed to MTM, who is the current broker management company.   Under the model, ambulance services are required to get an authorization number prior to transporting a non-emergency patent.

The broker model hasn't been kind to ambulance services with brokers often short paying bills, delaying payment for months or not paying invoices at all - even after patient transportation services were provided.  It is estimated that over one-million dollars has been lost to unpaid bills since inception of the program. 

EMS Live in Wisconsin Podcast

Next EMS Live in Wisconsin Podcast

EMS Live in Wisconsin Podcast
Wisconsin EMS Day Plans at the State Capitol Nov. 1

Special podcast reviewed EMS Day plans and talking points

>> To listen to this podcast, go to http://tobtr.com/10314789. 

On Friday, October 6, PAAW completed a special podcast to discuss the upcoming Wisconsin EMS Day at the State Capitol in Madison on November 1.  Our guests included Wisconsin Office of Rural Health Executive Director John Eich, Baraboo EMS Chief Dana Sechler and Ryan Brothers President and PAAW President Patrick Ryan.  The program was hosted by PAAW Executive Director Joe Covelli.

According to Covelli, "EMS providers don't get involved in their local ambulance service to lobby their local legislators.  However, EMS does a great job sharing stories about what they do and the pride they have in taking care of patients.  Those messages can translate into action by state government.  Legislators want to help local EMS, but they need input.  They need to hear from their constituents.  Wisconsin EMS Day offers that platform".

John, Dana and many others have been instrumental in organizing Wisconsin EMS Day.  The podcast offered insight into the day's plans and how you can be involved.

This is a critical time for EMS.  Volunteerism is down, levy limits and dwindling reimbursements are affecting funding to EMS, and services are struggling to keep ambulances staffed and their doors open.  The goal on November 1 is to talk with legislators about:

• Tax incentives to recruit and retain volunteers
• Lifting levy limits for EMS services
• Reducing unnecessary calls through use of Community Paramedics and Community EMT's

Join the group on Wednesday, November 1st, at 9 am, in Madison’s Central Library for EMS Day at the Capitol. The Associations representing Wisconsin EMS are united in holding this event. The Professional Ambulance Association of WI, the Professional Fire Fighters of WI, the WI EMS Association, and the WI State Fire Chiefs Association will all be there--and we invite you to come stand alongside them.  

Register now (Click here), so we know how many EMS providers are coming to participate, and can provide a box lunch for everyone.  Let’s show the legislators what EMS means to Wisconsin.

Wisconsin EMS Day Agenda - November 1

10:00 am   Welcome  (Partner Panel) - History, goals for today, key talking points and bills

10:30 am   Legislative speaker panel - Sen Nass, Rep Kremer, Rep Shankland, Rep Loudenbeck all invited

11:00 am Lobbying 101, what it looks like, what to expect

11:20 am Lobbying Packet Review

11:40 am The Legislative “Asks”

12:00 pm Lunch served and walk to Capitol building for visits

Wisconsin EMS Day State Capitol HQ, 2nd floor North Hearing Room. Water and snacks available, drop off feedback and requests for follow-up.

>> To listen to this podcast, go to http://tobtr.com/10314789. 

Stars of Life