2012 NYS EMS Changes

[patriotic 1]

About the bill...

This proposed budget bill mind you is from the governor's office and still has to be approved by the state legislature. First and foremost we in reference to EMS as a whole should not be having a pity party for ourselves if you review the entire budget there are proposed dramatic changes and cuts throughout state government.

These proposals should come at no big surprise – All levels of government (federal/state/county/local/districts) are going through dramatic changes and cuts.

We want a state government that is more efficient and that will reduce the bureaucracy that plagues this state. The other thing is the State of New York has no money!!!!

Full explination by Mike McEvoy (NYS EMS Council)

[firedude 985]

From a local EMS Council...

Governor's Budget Not All Doom and Gloom

You may probably have heard rumblings about the proposed changes to Article 30 of Public Health Law that pave the way for Governor Cuomo's budget proposal. We recently circulated the complete list of changes (click here do view or download a copy of the proposed changes) as well as a more concise listing of what the proposal means to New York's EMS System (click here for the notes interpreting the proposed changes). Last week when members of the New York State EMS Council (SEMSCO) and State Emergency Medical Advisory Committee (SEMAC) were in Albany, a sort of Town Hall meeting was held to discuss the changes and compile a list of concerns. The meeting was organized by the New York State EMS Coalition, an organization representing the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs (NYSAFC), the New York State Volunteer Ambulance and Rescue Association (NYSVARA), the United New York Ambulance Network (UNYAN), and the Fireman's Association of the State of New York (FASNY). The Coalition formed two years ago to work collectively on issues of united concern to member organizations. While there are many areas where the members interests simply don't agree, they have been immensely successful in achieving change that benefits the collective good of all of EMS not just in NY, but nationally.

At the Town Hall meeting and during the subsequent two days of SEMSCO and SEMAC meetings, many questions and concerns were compiled. These were synthesized and analyzed by the EMS Consortium in light of several considerations. Firstly, the Governor's budget proposal is wildly popular, has tremendous bipartisan support in the legislature, and is moving like a speeding train towards approval. Secondly, the changes to Article 30 needed to implement the budget are largely the work of the Spending and Government Efficiency (SAGE) Commission, appointed by Governor Cuomo shortly after he took office. The SAGE Commission was asked to "... make State government more accountable and efficient by reducing the number of agencies, authorities and commissions by 20%." They looked at every aspect of state government, not just EMS. You can view the SAGE web site at www.governor.ny.gov/sage. The changes to Article 30 resulting from the work of the SAGE Commission are essentially non-negotiable, an important thing to know when submitting comments and suggestions. Lastly, while funding for Program Agencies is not required in the proposed legislation, the monies were not removed in the Governor's budget. DOH officials confirmed what we suspected - Program Agencies will, in all likelihood, continue to exist on an RFP basis (i.e., DOH will issue Requests For Proposals to accomplish Program Agency duties).

The NYS EMS Coalition collected and synthesized hundreds and comments and concerns. From these, the Coalition developed a statement of concerns and support that it feels best represents the needs and interests of all EMS stakeholders (click here to view or download a copy of the Coalition statement). During the upcoming weeks, the NYS EMS Coalition will share this statement with the Governor, his staff, and our NY Legislators. Your can help by circulating this to your members and colleagues, encouraging them to use this as talking points in their discussions with legislators. All things considered, the proposed changes to Article 30 promise to make a more efficient EMS system in New York. These are positive times for EMS and for New York.

Edited February 5, 2012 by firedude