AUGUSTA, Maine — On Wednesday, Senate President Troy Jackson introduced legislation to help keep ambulance and neonatal transport services operating in the state. LD 915, “An Act To Provide Adequate Reimbursement under MaineCare for Ambulance and Neonatal Transport Services” received a public hearing before the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee.
“Ambulance services are a lifeline for people when they need help. All Mainers deserve the same access to health care whether they live in rural or nonrural areas of the state,” said President Jackson. “While we work to make health care more affordable and more accessible, we must start by making sure all Mainers can call an ambulance when they need one.”
The bill would increase the reimbursement rate for ambulance service and neonatal transport for critically ill children. Similar legislation passed through the Legislature last year but was ultimately vetoed by Gov. LePage. Increasing the reimbursement rate will stabilize ambulance and neonatal transport services for all Mainers.
The bill would also draw down $5.8 million in federal funds per year.
“Without our help, more and more ambulance providers and communities will have to cut back on their emergency ambulance services,” said President Jackson. “This would be incredibly harmful to Mainers in life-threatening situations.”
Fire Chief Scott Susi from the Caribou Fire and Ambulance Department traveled to Augusta to testify in favor of the bill, saying, “As public servants, we watch over our communities 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We are ready to respond when a call comes in and don’t ask how it’s going to be paid for, only hoping for a good outcome in the communities we serve.”
LD 915 faces additional work in committee.
