IAFC Offers Joint Fire Service Comments on EMS Improvements
Jun. 22, 2016 - Following a House hearing on potential improvements to the Medicare program, the IAFC joined with the Congressional Fire Services Institute and the International Association of Fire Fighters to submit comments on recommended changes for EMS. These changes include amending the ambulance fee schedule to support first responder fees, MIH programs, and other EMS innovations. Read the IAFC's full comments today for more information!
Controlled Substances Legislation Introduced in Senate
May 16, 2016 - Senator Bill Cassidy introduced the Senate version of the Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act of 2016 (S. 2932). This legislation is nearly identical to the legislation that Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) introduced in January which would allow EMS agencies to continue utilizing "standing orders" when administering medications to patients that fall under DEA scheduling. Read the IAFC's endorsement letter today!
IAFC Requests HHS Action on Ryan White Act
Apr. 15, 2016 - The IAFC, and several other national fire/EMS organizations, contacted the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to express concern about the growing number of hospitals failing to comply with the first responder notification provisions of the Ryan White Act. Learn more about this issue and see the IAFC's letter today.
IAFC Urges for NFPA 1917 Adoption
Apr. 15, 2016 - The IAFC, and several other national fire service organizations, contacted the U.S. General Services Administration to encourage the agency to sunset the KKK ambulance specification and formally adopt the NFPA 1917 ambulance standard. Read the IAFC's letter today to learn more about this issue.
The ACA and Ambulance Transport Revenue
Mar. 1, 2016 - The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act could cause major changes to your ambulance transport revenue. Learn how you can analyze your reimbursements and prepare your agency for changes ahead!
President Proposes Major Cuts to Fire Service Programs
Feb. 15, 2016 - The White House released the proposed FY 2017 budget which included major cuts for important fire service programs. Read more about these cuts and what you can do to fight them!
IAFC Endorses Controlled Substances Legislation
Jan. 13, 2016 - The IAFC has endorsed the Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act of 2016 (H.R. 4365) which was introduced by Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC). Due to pending regulatory changes by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), fire departments could be prohibited from relying on standing orders from a medical director to administer controlled substances to patients. H.R. 4365 would clarify in stature that fire departments may continue to use standing orders when treating patients. Additionally, this legislation would allow fire departments to directly register with the DEA and to maintain a single registration rather than separate registrations for each location.
IAFC Submits Comments on Naloxone Use
Jun. 2, 2015 - The IAFC submitted comments to the FDA (pdf) on the idea of permitting law enforcement officers and lay members of the public to administer naloxone to individuals suffering an opioid overdose. In these comments, the IAFC highlighted the need to also educate the public on the need to activate the EMS system and provide other patient care in addition to administering naloxone to patients.
Congress Considers Bill to Extend Ambulance Payments
Apr. 7, 2015 - The Medicare Ambulance Add-On Payments expired on April 1, however Congress is still working to pass legislation to extend these payments. One bill, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (H.R. 2), would extend these payments through 2017, while the Medicare Ambulance Access, Fraud Prevention, and Reform Act (H.R. 745/S. 377) would permanently extend these payments. Learn more about these bills and how you can urge Congress to reauthorize these important payments.
GAO Publishes Study on Drug Shortages
Mar. 4, 2015 - The Government Accountability Office (GAO) published a study that looked at the impacts of controlled substance regulations on drug shortages.
IAFC Supports Ambulance Add-On Payments Bills
Mar. 2, 2015 - The IAFC supports the Medicare Ambulance Access, Fraud Prevention, and Reform Act of 2015 (S. 377, H.R. 745), which will bring stability to the Medicare Ambulance Add-On Payments, an important funding source for fire-based EMS departments across the nation.
Legislation Introduced to Delay CMS Zip Code Changes
Feb. 9, 2015 - Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA) and Charles Boustany (R-LA) introduced the Fairness in Ambulance Reimbursement Act of 2015 (H.R. 817). H.R. 817 would force a temporary delay in the enactment of changes by CMS to reclassify thousands of super-rural and rural zip codes as rural and urban zip codes. This change could bring significant negative impacts to CMS ambulance reimbursements in these zip codes.
Ambulance Payments Legislation Introduced
Feb. 4, 2015 - Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Greg Walden (R-OR) introduced the Medicare Ambulance Access, Fraud Prevention, and Reform Act of 2015 (H.R. 745 / S. 377) that would permanently reauthorize the Medicare Ambulance Add-On Payments and implement fraudulent billing prevention measures.
IAFC Files Ebola Bioethics Comments
Feb. 4, 2015 - The IAFC submitted comments to the Presidential Commission on the Study of Bioethical Issues (pdf) as they examined questions related to the recent ebola response. The IAFC recommended that the federal government give greater consideration to issues such as quarantining first responders and the supply of personal protective equipment.
IAFC Recommends Appropriations Levels for FY 2015
Nov. 19, 2014 - The IAFC released its recommendations for appropriations for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2015. These recommendations to the U.S. House of Representatives (pdf) and the U.S. Senate (pdf) include recommended funding levels for programs such as the AFG Grants and the DHS Office of Health Affairs.
IAFC Testifies on Ebola Funding Needs
Nov. 7, 2014 - The IAFC worked with the IAFF, NVFC, and CFSI to submit joint testimony (pdf) to the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations in regards to the needs of the fire service for Ebola preparedness. This testimony addresses the fire service's needs as well as suggestions to improve the President's Supplemental Ebola Funding Request.
NFPA 1917: The Search for a Safer Ambulance
July 15, 2014 - There are currently a number of different efforts to create a standard for safer ambulances. The IAFC strongly believes that NFPA 1917 provides the best answer and should be adopted by the U.S. General Services Administration.
IAFC President Explains Concerns About Field EMS Bill
June 18, 2014 - IAFC President William Metcalf explained the IAFC's concerns about the Field EMS Bill and its proposed changes to the field of EMS.
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