SB245

Hidden costs are making life harder for many people in New Hampshire. Balance billing should not be allowed in an emergency situation.

AS a practicing trauma surgeon for 30+ years, I strongly support EMS appropriate reimbursement as per Senator Prentiss. EMS, like police and fire department are critical first responders and should be reimbursed for the critical medical care that they provide. Sincerely, Lisa A. Patterson MD, FACS Trauma Medical Director, Concord Hospital

As a Fire Chief that also runs an ambulance service, the current amount of reimbursement for an ambulance call in a remote location barely covers the cost of staffing for the call. let alone, the required costs of equipment and vehicles. If we were not Municipally subsidized, we would be operating at a large loss. As a tourist community, the taxpayers are being overwhelmingly burdened with the costs of running an ambulance. Over the last 18 months, only 20% of our calls were for the taxpayers that fund our service, an additional 24% of the calls were for NH residents and the majority, 56%, were for out of state patients. To not be reimbursed at an appropriate rate is huge reason why rural ambulances are going out of business or having severe financial hardship. Our annual collection rate covers less than 1/2 of our annual costs due to uninsured patients, Medicare/Medicaid patients, and reduced insurance reimbursement rates. This bill is an essential start to making ambulance services more sustainable in the State.

This bill is very important for the stability of EMS in NH which is being held together with the dedicated effort of fewer and fewer responders.

Please support SB245 for ground ambulance reimbursement. the cost of providing 911 ambulance service and insurance reimbursements, are making it extremely difficult for services to operate

I support this bill as it will provide adequate reimbursement to ambulance services which struggle to maintain their essential service in this fiscal environment. Thank you. Scott Taylor, Sanbornton, NH