FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2021

First Responders Thank the Wisconsin Joint Committee on Finance for Their Support of EMS

The Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin (PAAW) would like to thank the members of the Wisconsin Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance for their efforts to provide a significant Medicaid rate increase to Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The PAAW board extends its deepest appreciation to Representative Amy Loudenbeck (R-Clinton), Representative Mark Born (R- Beaver Dam), Representative Tony Kurtz (R-Wonewoc), Senator Mary Felzkowski (R-Irma), Senator Howard Marklein (R- Spring Green), and Senator Jerry Petrowski (R-Marathon) for their leadership on this crucial public health and public safety issue. 

To secure the increase in the Medicaid reimbursement rate for EMS in Wisconsin, the budget bill must pass both houses of the State Legislature and be signed by Governor Evers.

“Wisconsin’s EMS system is vulnerable right now,” said Chris Anderson, President of PAAW. “The reimbursement levels for mobile healthcare fall far below ambulance providers’ costs of readiness. This has suppressed wages, escalating our workforce shortage and causing delays in service. The action taken by the Joint Finance Committee this week would nearly double our reimbursement rates in 2022. This increase—if passed by the full Legislature and signed by the Governor—would represent a lifeline for our first responders.”

Anderson continued, “EMS proudly served our community with frontline emergency healthcare throughout the COVID-19 pandemic despite extraordinarily challenging circumstances. Between skyrocketing costs for PPE, supplies, and training, coupled with dwindling reimbursement, EMS cannot continue to provide care to every citizen without sustainable reimbursement. We are depending on the support of our elected officials so that your community can continue to depend on us—24/7.”

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About the Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin

The Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin (PAAW) safeguards the future of mobile healthcare through advocacy, thought leadership, and education. PAAW advances sustainable EMS policy, empowering our members to serve communities across the state with high-quality on-demand healthcare. We proudly represent those who care for the people of Wisconsin—first. www.wiambulance.org

As President of the Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin (PAAW) and Director of Operations at Bell Ambulance, I know that our state's EMS agencies are stretched to the financial brink. I invite you to join PAAW, the American Ambulance Association, and our trusted partner Sellers Dorsey for an educational webinar to learn how we can speak with one voice in Madison to bring federal supplemental payments to EMS at NO COST to our state.

Please join us at one of the three upcoming sessions to discuss the implementation of a "Medicaid Match" program encompassing both a provider assessment for for-profit and non-profit private providers as well as a Certified Public Expenditure (CPE) or Intergovernmental Transfer (IGT) program for municipal agencies. Due to our unique arrangement with the American Ambulance Association and Sellers Dorsey, PAAW is able to offer the support of our experts for the implementation of such programs at NO UPFRONT COST and NO RISK.

Please consider registering to attend a session—the institution of these supplemental payments can only succeed with YOUR support and participation!

Register Now!

• Wisconsin EMS Supplemental Payments Info Session 1

  Thursday, March 11, 2021 9:00 AM CT | Zoom

• Wisconsin EMS Supplemental Payments Info Session 2

  Tuesday, March 30, 2021 8:00 AM CT | Zoom

• Wisconsin EMS Supplemental Payments Info Session 3

  Wednesday, April 07, 2021 9:00 AM CT | Zoom

Are you an EMT, paramedic, or other EMS professional? You may be eligible for a University of Wisconsin-Madison study looking to prevent transmission of COVID-19 in healthcare workers. Compensation may be available for participants. Contact shield@medicine.wisc.edu for more information, or visit https://shield.medicine.wisc.edu.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 2, 2020
CONTACT:  Chris Anderson, 414-349-3732 / canderson@264bell.com

AMBULANCE PROVIDERS DENIED STATE ASSISTANCE 

Paramedics and EMTs on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19 were denied access to $100 million in federal CARES funding which was designated by Governor Evers for EMS and long-term health care providers which incurred significant unreimbursed costs related to the pandemic. 

“We’re at a complete loss as to why EMS is always passed-over by State officials,” said Chris Anderson, President of the Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin (PAAW).  “New personal protective equipment (PPE) and decontamination protocols have added over $35 in supply costs per response yet most of us received zero from Wisconsin’s CARES Act funding.  We cannot sustain current service levels without immediate assistance.”

EMS services were initially eligible for assistance from the State as part of Wisconsin’s nearly $2 billion allocation from the Federal CARES Act.  As the Department of Health Services developed the rules, support for local EMS providers was all but eliminated.  “The largest ambulance service in Wisconsin received no state assistance despite expending over $300,000 on additional PPE,” said Anderson.  “We saw huge corporations getting CARES Act aid while the people on the front lines took another slap to the face.  I cannot overstate the vulnerability of Wisconsin’s EMS infrastructure right now, even as we head into flu season and a possible COVID-19 resurgence in the Fall.”

EMS services were already in dire need.  On average, Wisconsin Medicaid reimburses ambulance services significantly less than the average of four surrounding states (IL, IA, MN, MI) as well as much less than the already low average Medicare reimbursement. “EMS needs permanent help right now to stabilize the system,” said Anderson.  “We lose money on every Medicaid transport—the mobile healthcare that serves some of the most at-risk populations in our State.  We have already seen one ambulance service discontinue participation in the city of Milwaukee's 911 system due to the abysmal Medicaid reimbursement rates.  This cannot continue or citizens will not get lifesaving care when it is needed the most.”

“EMS is proud to answer the call to care for our neighbors in need, day or night,” stressed Anderson.  “We are essential to the pandemic response and risking our lives to help others.”

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About the Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin

The Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin (PAAW) safeguards the future of mobile healthcare through advocacy, thought leadership, and education. PAAW advances sustainable EMS policy, empowering our members to serve communities across the state with high-quality on-demand healthcare. We proudly represent those who care for the people of Wisconsin—first. www.wiambulance.org

Mental Health for First Responders

• Please visit the Code Green Campaign website for a state-by-state list of behavioral health resources.
• Safe Call Now (staffed by first responders) – 1-206-459-3020. Assists with mental health, substance abuse, and related issues.
• Share The Load (National Volunteer Fire Council) – 1-888-731-3473
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255 or via online chat
• SAMHSA’s National Helpline – 1-800-662-4357 A confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Callers can also order free publications and other information.
• Crisis Mode: Building Resilience During COVID-19 – Simple and practical suggestions that people can use to cope while in crisis mode.
• Crisis Mode: Strategies for Leaders and Management – Offers suggestions for leaders to facilitate actionable steps to help their team cope during a crisis.

Alcohol Abuse

• NIAAA Alcohol Treatment NavigatorSM
• SAMHSA’s National Helpline – 1-800-662-4357 A confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Callers can also order free publications and other information.
• SMARTrecovery – Mutual support meetings are free and open to anyone
  seeking science-based, self-empowered addiction recovery.
• Alcoholics Anonymous – An international fellowship of men and women who have had a drinking problem. It is nonprofessional, self-supporting, multiracial, apolitical, and available almost everywhere. There are no age or education requirements. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about his or her drinking problem.

Drug Abuse

• American Society of Addiction Medicine Physician Locator
• Naltrexone Providers
• Probuphine Healthcare Provider Locator
• SAMHSA Buprenorphine Providers
• SAMHSA Treatment Locator (including methadone providers)

• Personal Finance & Debt

• Consumer Credit Counseling – Consumer credit counseling service agencies are Internal Revenue Service 501(c)93) nonprofit organizations that will help you find a workable solution to financial problems. Each CCCS agency offers a common set of services, including financial education, budgeting assistance, and Debt Management Plans.

For Veterans

Many EMS providers have also served in the military.

• PTSD Foundation of American Warrior Groups – Warrior Groups are fellowships for combat veterans and their families to share their experiences, testimonies of healing, compassion and hope in overcoming the invisible wounds of war.
• VA National Center for PTSD

Yesterday, PAAW President Chris Anderson, WEMSA Executive Director Marc Cohen, PFFW Board Member Jerry Biggart, and WSFCA President Timothy Bantes held a joint press conference to ask for legislative and regulatory support of mobile healthcare in our state.

As ambulance providers face skyrocketing PPE and labor costs, Paramedics and EMTs face daily the dangers of the pandemic in the field. As yet, the State of Wisconsin has not provided ANY dedicated COVID-19 aid for emergency responders. Ambulance providers have also not received a Medicaid rate increase since 2008—when rates were increased just 1%.

Ambulance services deserve the support of all Wisconsin residents. Contact your legislators in support of sustainable EMS funding during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond!