EMS has been primarily career staffing in Bucks County for 30 years. Wages were low, health insurance minimal, no retirement, inherent danger on every call, abundant work related injuries, little vacation time…an endless list.
Our workers compensation rates are outrageous. Our insurance reimbursements are about 70% of 70% of our call volume. We don’t get reimbursed for taking patients to hospitals if their insurance determines that patient could have gone, without health risks, in a car. And we cannot refuse to take them.
Taxes to us through our municipalities are 1/2 of 1 mill. We can receive 1 mill without referendum or up to 2 mills with a referendum. (Fire service is and has been much higher.)
EMS is not owned or operated by the fire service. We are an independent nonprofit 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
For years we have gone to municipal meetings and asked for support. For the most part, we have received a portion of what is actually needed.
Here are some facts:
1.) Municipalities are not required to provide law enforcement but, communities, you have chosen to provide it. A good decision and a costly investment.
2.) Municipalities are required to provide EMS services and to fund them “to the level they determine is necessary and appropriate.” There’s the wiggle room.
Since Upper Bucks Regional EMS’ inception in 1958 it has relied on donations, subscription drives, grants and insurance reimbursement to survive. Before the mid ‘80s, EMS providers were volunteer. EMS was disorganized with many independent services without any meaningful coordination among them.
With the development of a centralized county dispatch and 911 system, it improved dramatically. But with that improvement came the “territory grabs.” Organizations fighting each other for the right to respond to specific municipalities to improve transport numbers for reimbursement revenue.
Next the Department of Health division of EMS is now the Bureau of EMS and all the requirements and legislation associated, namely “unfunded mandates.”
Next, medical directors and medical advisory committees will have protocols statewide.
Barbara H Stebulis is chief of operations and executive director of Upper Bucks Regional EMS.
Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.
