1. EMS Update: What are the National Issues
Ritu Sahni, MD, MPH

2. Perspective National Association of EMS Physicians – President-Elect
National Registry of EMTs – Board
Advocates for EMS – Board
National EMS Advisory Council (NEMSAX) – Member
The following slides do not represent official views from these organizations.

3. NEMSAC
Advises National Highway Transportation Safety Admin and Federal Interagency Committee on EMS
21 members. 2 Oregonians – both Chair subcommittee
Recent Issues
Culture of Safety
Lead Federal Agency
Evidence Based Guideline Development
Alternative Financing

4. NREMT Implementation of the EMS Education Agenda for the Future
National Certification
Initial – new levels that are being implemented in Oregon
Ongoing (Mark King proposal?)
National Accreditation of EMS Education Programs
Paramedic schools must be accredited
Practical Examination development
New levels
Practice based
Recertification requirements

5. Advocates for EMS EMS Field Bill
Creates a new Federal Lead Agency for EMS
Creates Federal grant programs for
Local EMS Agencies
EMS Initial Education
Medical Director Educations
State EMS Offices
Calls for alternative funding demonstration projects
Funding of regionalization in Affordable Care Act

6. What is meant by alternative funding?
Current model (barely) funds ambulance transport
Further call for funding based on:
Readiness
Treat/Release
Alternative destinations
Overall cost savings (CPAP, STEMI, proper trauma triage, etc)
Models break down if “pot stays the same.”

7. Affordable Care Act
Calls for regionalization of emergency care systems
Electronic Information Exchange
Broader insurance coverage
Coordinated Care Organizations. – encouraged in the act (Oregon passed CCO legislation last session)

8. The end – a quick overview