Reps. Cleaver & Harshbarger Introduce Mobile Intergraded Health Bill
This week, Representatives Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) and Diana Harshberger (R-TN) introduced the Community Paramedicine Act of 2025 (H.R. 4011). The bill seeks to expand access to mobile integrated health (MIH) and community paramedicine (CP) programs in rural communities by allowing their funding in rural health grants. The bill would expand the scope of rural health grants authorized under Sec. 330A of the Public Health Services Act to include mobile integrated health and community paramedicine grantees. MIH and CP are models that have shown better patient outcomes and save money from costly EMS transports and hospital visits. These programs have had a particularly profound impact in rural areas where there is often a lack of primary care. The IAFC endorsed the Community Paramedicine Act of 2025 and continues to push for its passage.
Senate Finance Committee Releases Draft of One Big Beautiful Bill Act
Late last week, the Senate Finance Committee released its proposed text of the budget reconciliation bill, a version of which passed the House last month. The Senate bill makes substantial changes to the House-passed bill (H.R. 1) that could impact the fire and emergency services.
The Medicaid provisions to the bill, while making some changes to Medicaid reimbursements, do not affect GEMT. The bill reduces the reimbursement for state-directed programs (states that contract with private health insurers to pay for state Medicaid plans) but does not directly cut programs like GEMT. States in state-directed programs will limit the state directed payments to 100% of the Medicaid rate in Medicaid expansion states and 110% in non-expansion states. There is a 10-year, gradual phase down of these payments.
A tax deduction on overtime provision was included in the draft bill, but it is significantly different from the House-passed bill. The new provision would allow for a federal income tax deduction for overtime pay up to a maximum deduction of $12,500 for single fillers and $25,000 for those filling jointly. The deduction phases out for those making over $150,000 and for joint fillers making over $300,000.
Seante votes to confirm Olivia Trusty as next Commissioner of the FCC
On Tuesday, the United States Senate voted to confirm Ms. Olivia Trusty to be a Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Ms. Trusty has an extensive background in telecommunications policy. The IAFC endorsed Ms. Trusty’s nomination based on her track record of supporting public safety communications, especially protecting public safety communications on the T Band. Ms. Trusty’s term is scheduled to run through 2030.