Buffalo Ledger

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R-C, Elma) announced that the New York State Senate has passed a legislative package aimed at supporting emergency medical service providers and improving emergency care. The five pieces of legislation, co-sponsored by Senator Gallivan, address financial and operational challenges facing many EMS organizations.

“The men and women who provide emergency medical services across New York State are on the frontlines of our healthcare system,” Senator Gallivan said. “We must ensure they have the personnel and resources necessary to respond to the life-saving needs of residents, especially in rural areas of the state. These measures will enhance the safety of all New Yorkers.”

The approved bills include:

- S7286A: This legislation increases the state’s personal income tax credit for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers from $200 to $800 for individuals and from $400 to $1600 for eligible married joint filers. The tax credit was implemented in 2007 but has never been raised.

- S8486B: Allows Medicaid reimbursements to EMS agencies for providing service to Medicaid enrollees without requiring the transportation of these patients. It also permits Medicaid payments to be made to EMS services when they transport individuals to alternative care facilities.

- S6226A: Permits ambulance services and advanced life support first response service providers to store and distribute blood and initiate and administer blood transfusions.

- S5122: Allows the NYS Department of Health to charge ambulance service providers a universal service assessment fee to cover increased medical assistant payment rates for their services.

- S4020C: Declares general ambulance service an "essential service" and requires that every county, city, town, village, or special district ensure that an emergency medical service or general ambulance service is provided.