Senate panel votes 'do not pass' on bill to address distressed ambulance services after local pushback

The Senate Appropriations — Human Resources Division voted to recommend "do not pass" for Senate Bill 2033, a proposal to create a program addressing "distressed" emergency ambulance services, after members said local ambulance providers opposed the bill and raised questions about a proposed full-time equivalent position and consultant funding.

The bill, discussed at the panel meeting, would establish definitions and regulatory authority related to distressed ambulance services and contemplated departmental staffing and use of a consultant to support the program. Senator Mather proposed amending the bill to fund a consultant "in the amount of, like a hundred thousand dollars to help the department figure out how this program should be operated," and said he would not authorize an FTE at this time. Senator Mangrum reported…