Senate Bill 269 Nears Final Approval For Rural Healthcare Boost
A bill that many believe will benefit, if not save, rural healthcare in Alabama is one step away from becoming law. Senate Bill 269 passed the Alabama house yesterday after lawmakers returned to work from their annual spring break.
During committee hearings, the President of the Alabama Association of Ambulance Services Eric Pendley, told committee members the legislation could make a life-saving difference. “At the end of the day, SB 269 will save lives," said Pendley.
The legislation accomplishes two goals that rural ambulance services have requested in an attempt to stay in business.
- Give Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers reimbursement for treating patients on the scene rather than having to transport them to a hospital.
- Sets standard required payment rate for ground ambulance services. Currently there is no standard rate in the state. It would require health insurers pay in-network providers a minimum 200% of the Medicare Ambulance Fee Schedule Rate for basic life support. Out-of-network providers must pay 180% of that fees schedule.
A companion bill was sponsored by Choctaw, Greene, Hale counties Sen. Bobby Singleton (D-24) in the upper chamber.
The bills had significant bipartisan support in both chambers, including members of the West Alabama Legislative Delegation.
“Alabama faces a crisis in the delivery of emergency services," bill sponsor, Lee/Tallapoosa counties Rep. Ed Oliver (R-81) told lawmakers during floor debate, "and this bill is designed to give baseline reimbursements that will continue the essential services that we designate in this body."
The bill received pushback from many of the more prominent insurance companies in the state who claim it will require policyholders to pay higher premiums. Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA) opposes the bill, arguing it will increase premiums for Alabamians and mostly benefit large, city-based ambulance providers rather than rural ones.
The bill now goes to Gov. Kay Ivey for her signature. She has indicated her support her support for the measure which will become law as of October 1.
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