Volume 2; Issue 6 March 19, 2025 |
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On March 12th, the ArAA celebrated 34 incredible EMS professionals for their compassion, dedication, and selfless service to their communities. These heroes embody what it means to serve, and today, they received well-deserved recognition for their unwavering commitment.
The day started with a historic moment as they witnessed the EMS Compact bill passing out of the Senate Public Health, Welfare, and Labor Committee. They spent the morning learning about the legislative process and engaging with lawmakers who help shape the future of EMS.
In the afternoon, our Stars of Life were honored on the floor of both the House and Senate, receiving heartfelt recognition for their vital role in emergency medical services. A special thank you to Senator Missy Irvin for presenting Senate Resolution 43, officially declaring today Stars of Life Day, and to Representatives Bart Schulz and Lee Johnson for your kind words and recognition.
To all of our EMS Stars—congratulations and thank you for your dedication, sacrifice, and unwavering service!
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April 28 - May 1, 2025 | Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort
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Arkansas Legislative Updates |
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DBH Management Week 9 Legislative Report
The ninth week of the Session was fast and furious! The week started with the House and Senate Education committees meeting jointly to hear HB1512 and SB246, the Governor’s ACCESS bill. The meeting started at 9:00am on Monday morning, took a break for members to go to the House and Senate floor sessions, came back and continued until after 6:00pm. The bills were amended and passed both committees, and each bill was passed out of its respective chamber on Thursday. After introduction at the end of last week and being assigned to the wrong committee, SB392, The Governor’s Pay Plan bill, was heard, for discussion only, in the Personnel subcommittee of Joint Budget on Tuesday morning. The discussion lasted well over an hour, with plenty of questions being asked, and several that answers are still pending. No doubt, this will be the topic of many discussions and a lot of money in the budget. These two bills, along with the new prison continue to take a lot of air out of the room, and money out of the budget, but from all indications all there will likely pass!
We heard the first rumors this week about what members are beginning to think about constitutional amendments. The most prominent rumor being that a number of members believe the one both chambers will agree on is SJR11 by Senator John Payton “To Protect the Right to Bear Arms”. Another topic that members are discussing is covered by companion bills HJR1014 by Rep. Beaty and SJR15 by Senator Dismang. These deal with economic development and the creation of economic development districts. As a reminder, the General Assembly can refer up to three amendments directly to the ballot. Member sentiments are all over the board on this issue, from those who don’t think they should ever refer anything to those who wish they would refer 3 every year.
Senator Scott Flippo had the line of the week while speaking at the State Chamber. He was talking about how members handle big issues during the session, and how he wished more of them were started in the interim so that members could be fully educated, especially when there were dollar figures necessarily attached to the policy, His comment included that many constituents find that it is no big deal to pay $1,000 for a new iPhone, but if you add a dime to their water bill for infrastructure, the sky is falling! Noting that attitude plays into members thinking as they are concerned about re-election.
Senator Dismang amended SB307, the energy bill, with a number of the recommendations from the Arkansas Public Service Commission amended in and the bill passed with 27 votes in the Senate. The House Insurance and Commerce committee has scheduled a special order of business to hear only that bill Monday afternoon, so it appears the bill is back on track!
What a great turnout for Stars of Life day! Our Compact Bill will be on the Senate floor on Monday. Additionally, we expect our EMS Commission bill to be filed on Monday. The ARRIVES act will hopefully be back from the drafter next week so that it can also be filed before Spring Break. Max continues to work with the Insurance companies on our in and out of network bills, and with any luck, those will also be filed next week.
With a week of pretty, spring like weather, the group of members who live in our complex held their first big cookout this week. With over 80 House members and over a third of the Senate attending, this gave us some really good, casual face time with members. As always, we appreciate your faith in us. Things are moving fast, so please text us if you have questions or comments!
Bruce, Camie, Lee Ann, Michael and Holly |
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ARAA BILL TRACKING REPORT UPDATED 03/19/2025  
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HB 1075
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Ray, David(R)
Bryant, Joshua(R)
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To prohibit a local government from regulating the sale or use of a lawn care device or imposing a tax or fee on the use of a lawn care device in certain circumstances. |
| Last Action: |
2-24-25 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 146)
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HB 1111
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Joint Budget( ) |
An Act for the Office of the Treasurer of State - Assistance to local law enforcement and emergency medical appropriation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. |
| Last Action: |
1-27-25 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 7)
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HB 1145
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Wooten, Jim(R)
Hill, Ricky(R)
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To increase the purchase amount authorized for additional after-market equipment for a new motor vehicle purchased by a county or municipality. |
| Last Action: |
2-18-25 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 107)
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HB 1165
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Johnson, Lee(R) |
To prohibit different reimbursement rates for services performed by the same type of provider in different settings within the Arkansas Medicaid program. |
| Last Action: |
2-24-25 H Moved to deferred list H-Public Health, Welfare and Labor
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| Last Action: |
3- 6-25 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 245)
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HB 1168
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Johnson, Lee(R) |
To provide criminal immunity for healthcare professionals for negligent acts or omissions. |
| Last Action: |
1-28-25 H Withdrawn from further consideration
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HB 1169
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Johnson, Lee(R) |
To clarify the admission criteria for an involuntary commitment to include a person who is in a mental condition as a result of a medical condition. |
| Last Action: |
3- 6-25 S Moved to deferred list S-Public Health, Welfare and Labor
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HB 1172
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Johnson, Lee(R) |
To add definitions to the Medicaid Fairness Act to ensure that all rule enforcement actions are appealable. |
| Last Action: |
2-25-25 H Meeting set for 10:00 a.m. - Room 130, H-Public Health, Welfare and Labor
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HB 1176
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Joint Budget( ) |
An Act for the Department of Public Safety - Division of Emergency Management appropriation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. |
| Last Action: |
1-21-25 H Introduced and referred to Joint Budget
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| Last Action: |
3- 6-25 S Moved to deferred list S-Public Health, Welfare and Labor
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HB 1191
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Joint Budget( ) |
An Act for the Department of Public Safety appropriation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. |
| Last Action: |
3-13-25 H Amendment(s) Filed
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| Last Action: |
2-11-25 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 28)
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HB 1253
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Johnson, Lee(R) |
To adopt the Emergency Medical Services Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact in Arkansas. |
| Last Action: |
3-12-25 S Reported from committee - Do pass S-Public Health, Welfare and Labor
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| Last Action: |
3-12-25 S Received in the Senate - Referred to S-Public Health, Welfare and Labor
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| Last Action: |
3-11-25 S Received in the Senate - Referred to S-Public Health, Welfare and Labor
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| Last Action: |
2-27-25 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 199)
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HB 1287
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Johnson, Lee(R)
Irvin, Missy(R)
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To amend the Healthcare Contracting Simplification Act; to define "downcode" under the Healthcare Contracting Simplification Act; and to require notification by contracting entities of downcoding. |
| Last Action: |
2-24-25 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 136)
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HB 1294
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Johnson, Lee(R) |
To allow an ambulance service to order certain types of healthcare services without a referral from a physician; and to mandate insurance coverage for an ambulance service to order certain types of healthcare services. |
| Last Action: |
2-20-25 H Withdrawn from further consideration
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| Last Action: |
2-26-25 H Meeting set for 10:00 a.m. - Room 149, H-Insurance and Commerce
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| Last Action: |
2-26-25 H Meeting set for 10:00 a.m. - Room 149, H-Insurance and Commerce
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| Last Action: |
3-13-25 H Enrolled in the House - Sent to Governor
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HB 1299
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Johnson, Lee(R)
Irvin, Missy(R)
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To prohibit healthcare insurers from exercising recoupment for payment of healthcare services more than one year after the payment for healthcare services was made. |
| Last Action: |
3-12-25 H Meeting set for 10:00 a.m. - Room 149, H-Insurance and Commerce
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| Last Action: |
3-13-25 H Amendment 3 adopted
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| Last Action: |
3-13-25 H Amendment 3 adopted
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| Last Action: |
3-12-25 H Meeting set for 10:00 a.m. - Room 149, H-Insurance and Commerce
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| Last Action: |
2-24-25 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 147)
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| Last Action: |
2-26-25 H Meeting set for 10:00 a.m. - Room 149, H-Insurance and Commerce
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| Last Action: |
3-17-25 S Meeting set for 9:30 a.m. - Room 207, S-Education
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HB 1475
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Carr, Joey(R)
Crowell, Steve(R)
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To authorize the use of green lights, to amend the restrictions on lamp colors, to amend the colors of lights that may be used by emergency vehicles, and to define a roadway construction or maintenance vehicle. |
| Last Action: |
2-27-25 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 209)
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HB 1767
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Johnson, Lee(R) |
To abolish the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council; and to create the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee. |
| Last Action: |
3-12-25 H Introduced and referred to H-Public Health, Welfare and Labor
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SB 226
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Leding, Greg(D)
McKenzie, Brit(R)
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To amend the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act and to modify the requirements for professional development in school districts related to sudden cardiac arrest. |
| Last Action: |
3- 6-25 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 247)
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SB 257
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Penzo, Clint(R)
Lundstrum, Robin(R)
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To amend the Medicaid Fairness Act; to extend the appeal period for providers in the Arkansas Medicaid Program; and to require comprehensive information in notices of adverse decisions. |
| Last Action: |
3-13-25 H Meeting set for 10:00 a.m. - Room 130, H-Public Health, Welfare and Labor
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SB 435
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Irvin, Missy(R)
Johnson, Lee(R)
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To create the criminal offense of aggravated assault upon a healthcare worker; and to define "healthcare worker" regarding assault and battery. |
| Last Action: |
3-17-25 S Meeting set for Upon adjournment - Room 171, S-Judiciary
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SR 43
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Irvin, Missy(R) |
Stars of Life Day designated to recognize Emergency Medical Services professionals. |
| Last Action: |
3-12-25 S Adopted |
| Last Action: | 3-18-25 H Introduced and referred to H-Revenue and Taxation
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| HB 1841
| Johnson, Lee(R) | To create the Arkansas Revenue Investment in Vital EMS Systems (ARRIVES) Act; and to create the Arkansas Revenue Investment in Vital EMS Systems (ARRIVES) Fund for emergency medical services agencies. |
| Last Action: | 3-20-25 H Meeting set for 10:00 a.m. - Room 130, H-Public Health, Welfare and Labor
Total Bills: 36
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The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) requires Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) to recertify their credentials every two years to ensure continued competency in emergency medical care. The current recertification cycle concludes on March 31, 2025. |
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MedPac Meeting RECAP (3/6/25): Ground Ambulance Data |
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The Medicare Payment Advisory Committee (MedPAC) held the first of several Commission discussions related to the statutorily mandated report to review ground ambulance payment policy in light of the Ground Ambulance Data Collection System on March 6, 2025. In addition to the Ground Ambulance Payment Report, the agenda covered physician fee schedules updates, updates on reduction in cost-sharing for critical access hospital outpatient services, an overview of Medicare insurance agents, overview on Medigap, overview on home health care in Medicare Advantage, and institutional special needs plans.
The Bipartisan Budget Act (BBA) of 2018 required CMS to collect data on ground ambulance services through the Ground Ambulance Data Collection System (GADCS). MedPAC must analyze this data to assess Medicare payment adequacy and geographic cost variations, with a report due by June 15, 2026. Commissioners will review the data and guide the workplan. The American Ambulance Association noted the analysis will include cost data stratification by service type and level, as well as potential staffing differences. It will also examine data from a range of organizations, challenges for rural and super-rural providers, and comparisons of rural definitions. Additional focus areas include hospital vs. on-scene treatment, ownership data, treatment in place, payment impacts on response and transport decisions, the effect of “wall time” on costs, and differences between “loaded” and “unloaded” miles.
MedPac Mandated Report: Payment for Ground Ambulance Services Stay tuned for more information and updates on upcoming MedPac meetings! |
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EMS Protocols: STEMI Triage & Treatment Efficiency
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The International Journal of Emergency Medicine Continuous published an article on a study that evaluates the impact of the American Heart Association's Mission Lifeline initiative on STEMI care in Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR). By analyzing EMS data from 2015 to 2023, researchers found that Mission Lifeline protocols, such as prehospital 12-lead ECGs and hospital pre-activation, significantly improved EMS-to-balloon (E2B) times and STEMI triage accuracy. The percentage of patients meeting the 90-minute E2B time improved from 74% in 2015 to 84% in 2019, while under-triage rates dropped below 1% after 2020. These findings highlight the effectiveness of standardized, protocol-driven EMS interventions in optimizing STEMI care and improving patient outcomes.
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Adopted March 1, 2025: Joint Position Statement on Criminal Liability for Alleged Deviations from Clinical Standards of Care in
Emergency Medical Services |
This Joint Position Statement from several National EMS Organizations outlines guidelines for determining when criminal liability should apply to EMS clinicians for alleged deviations from clinical standards of care. It stresses that: EMS clinicians should be held accountable within a just culture, which emphasizes organizational systems that contribute to errors. Criminal liability for medical errors should be carefully considered, as it can deter EMS professionals from reporting errors, potentially worsening patient safety. The statement proposes a four-part inquiry to evaluate whether criminal charges are appropriate: - Was the action within the EMS clinician's duties?
- Did the action involve a deviation from clinical standards?
- Was it intentional or grossly negligent?
- Will criminal liability serve justice?
The statement also highlights concerns about the impact of criminal liability on EMS recruitment and retention, especially during a workforce crisis, and advocates for non-criminal forms of accountability such as civil or administrative actions for medical errors.
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Respiratory Virus - % of Emergency Department Visits - CDC Data The data is updated by the CDC weekly and can be accessed here. |
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ArAA wants to hear from you! |
Looking to contribute an article, news, or other information on the Pulse? Click below! |
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Looking to highlight an ArAA member on the Pulse and on the website? Click below! |
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ArAA Mission
"The ArAA is committed to promoting excellence in emergency medical services and mobile health care transportation. Our members work collaboratively to find better ways to serve others." |
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This message has been sent to you by the Arkansas Ambulance Association. If you no longer want to receive these letters, you can unsubscribe at any time.
Arkansas Ambulance Association P.O. Box 11330 El Dorado, AR 71730
Visit our website at aaaintouch.com Contact us at admin@aaaintouch.com
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