EDUCATION & OUTREACH

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Cal-AAMS, though its member programs, offers extensive educational programs, as well as training and outreach for law-enforcement, fire agencies, first responders and other civic and community groups. Offering a variety of classes to our medical community, as well as our own personnel, please refer to the Cal-AAMS Calendar, or contact the respective Air Medical program in your region for a comprehensive listing of educational opportunities.


If you have a questions regarding education, training, and/or classes, please feel free to contact any of the programs in your area....


Industry Key Issues


FAA Reauthorization
On September 28, the House of Representatives passed the “Disaster Tax Relief and Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2017” (H.R. 3823) by a 264-155 vote. The Senate passed the bill by voice vote with an amendment stripping out provisions related to flood insurance. The House then passed the amended bill by voice vote, sending it to the President for his signature. The final bill includes a six-month extension (through March 31, 2018) of the authorization for the Federal Aviation Administration and federal aviation programs, as well as: an extension of some health care measures; and targeted tax relief for individuals affected by the recent hurricanes. The prior FAA authorization, enacted as the ‘‘FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016” (P.L. 114-190), expired on September 30.

Member Reminder


On July 25, Representatives Jackie Walorski (R-IN), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Bill Johnson (R-OH), Raul Ruiz (D-CA), and Pete Sessions (R-TX) introduced the “Ensuring Access to Air Ambulance Services Act of 2017” (H.R. 3378). Representatives Tom Cole (R-OK), Jason Smith (R-MO), Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO), David Loebsack (D-IA), Mike Kelly (R-PA), and Kenny Marchant (R-TX) have also cosponsored the bill.


This legislation would reform the Medicare fee schedule for air ambulance services, starting with temporary, noncumulative payment increases to providers (12% in 2018, 20% in 2019, and 20% in 2020), followed by: rebasing of air medical reimbursements in 2021; and implementation of a Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program beginning in 2024. The bill would also establish cost and quality reporting requirements.

AAMS fully supports this legislation, and encourages members to contact their Members of Congress to ask them to cosponsor H.R. 3378. The House of Representatives provides a tool for identifying your Member of Congress by zip code.

More Information on H.R. 3378:

• AAMS background on the legislation and the need to reform outdated Medicare rates
• Cosponsors of H.R. 3378

• Learn more about AAMS Public Policy efforts.


H.R. 3378: Ensuring Access to Air Ambulance Services Act


Bi-Partisan Federal Legislation (H.R. 3378) is designed to preserve access to trauma centers, cardiac and stroke centers, burn centers, neo-natal and pediatric intensive care centers, and other critical-levels of healthcare for nearly 85 million Americans who live in predominately rural areas that don’t have those services.


The legislation will:

Preserve access to Level 1 and 2 trauma centers for almost 1/3 of the American population who doesn’t live within an hour of a Level I or Level II Trauma Center (by ground transport) and would not be able to receive emergent care in a timely manner. Hold the air medical industry transparent and accountable to the public by requiring 100% industry reporting of quality-of-care AND cost data by all transport providers. Increase the quality of patient care for patients throughout America, and increase the efficiency the air medical industry by making quality reporting publicly-available information. Reform Medicare payments for patients flown by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) helicopters. Without this legislation, 85 million Americans could lose timely access to critical healthcare. H.R. 3378 was introduced by Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN), Rep. Suzan Delbene (D-WA), Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH), and Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA).


Why the need for H.R. 3378?

AAMS Statement in support of H.R. 3378



Additional Links:


AAMS PAC


AAMS position on the use of UAV's


AAMS opposes ATC system privatization


AAMS Supports GAO Report Recommendations


AAMS position on Crash Resistant Fuel Systems (CRFS)


Category Archives: AAMS Public Policy / Public Affairs


Learn More About AAMS Public Policy efforts.


* All information provided by AAMS.ORG ( The Association of Air Medical Services )  © All Rights Reserved 2016


Reference & Resources

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