Governor Rendell signs SB240 into law, Act 37 of 2009. Pictured from left to right: Seated are Senator Baker, Governor Rendell and Representative Melio. Standing are Don DeReamus representing the AAP, Representative Tim Solobay, State Fire Commissioner Ed Mann, Bureau of EMS Director Joe Schmider, Department of Health Secretary Everett James, Representative RoseMarie Swanger, Deputy Director of the Bureau for Health Planning and Assessment Michael Huff, EHS Federation Executive Director Steve Lyle, and PEHSC President JR Henry.Text and photo credit: Heather Sharar, Executive Director of the Ambulance Association of Pennsylvania
Less than ten days ago Governor Rendell signed a new EMS Act into law. Below is an email interview with Pennsylvania Bureau of EMS Director Joe Schmider about the implications for the new act.
Dan: It seems like the Act is total re-write as opposed to just a revision to Act 45. So the most important question is obviously what do we call the new Act? Act 45 version 2.0? Chapter 72? Joe's bill?
Director Schmider: The old EMS Act 45 is now Act 37.
Dan: What do you think are the most significant changes between the new legislation and the old EMS Act?
Director Schmider: Act 37 gives the Commonwealth EMS system flexibility to meet current and future emergency care needs. This Act allows the Department to expand the scope of practice of EMS Providers within 60 days and includes EMS within the public health system.
Dan: That’s certainly a subject near and dear to our hearts. Will the average EMS provider notice any difference in the way they do their job, or will the new Act be transparent to them?
Director Schmider: There are many new things in this new Act, titles of providers, changing first responders to emergency medical responders, adding Advance EMTs, Physician Extenders and emergency vehicle operators. Ambulance services will become agencies and each agency will be required to have a medical director. Peer review protection to ensure a quality EMS system and the Department will have the ability to assess fines for repeat violators. PA is true a leader a national leader in the drafting of this Act.
Dan: It certainly seems so. How about recruitment, retention, reimbursement and recognition which are constant issues for EMS agencies? Does the new Act provide any new resources for agencies and providers for these problems?
Director Schmider: The new EMS Act will benefit the EMS community by giving providers the tools they need to do their job into the future. It will also move our system forward as a profession and open many new doors in the medical community to advance your career. After 10 years of rewriting the EMS Act the Department heard from 1000s of EMS providers asking for what you see in this Act, now it up to all of us to take this legislation and us it to benefit the patients we care for each day.
Dan: I know you put a lot of time on the road to gather all of that input, now that the bill has been signed, what comes next ? How long do you think it will take before the system starts to reap the benefits of the new Act?
Director Schmider: Most major changes go into effect in August of 2012. Currently the Department is in the process of rewriting the rules and regulations and there will be EMS stakeholder meeting in the spring of 2010 to review the draft documents. This will allow all EMS stakeholders to have input into the development of the Rules and Regulations so that when we have hearings toward the end of 2011 we will be in position to move the rules along quickly with strong support from the EMS community.
Dan: Thanks for your time and for your efforts Joe. I know you put a lot of sweat, and probably some blood and tears into making this Act a reality. I think we are all looking forward to seeing what the future holds for PA EMS.
Click here for a copy of Senate Bill 240, which was signed into Law as Act 37.
*Special thanks to Heather Sharar from the Ambulance Association of Pennsylvania for sharing the photo of the signing ceremony for Act 37.
