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Senators debate design, funding for proposed distressed ambulance service program; no action taken
Summary
Lawmakers discussed Senate Bill 2033, which would create a program to identify and assist ambulance services in financial or operational distress. Senators split on whether the bill should include one‑time funding to contract consultants to design the program or defer funding decisions to the human services budget.
Senate members engaged in extended discussion of Senate Bill 2033, a bill to establish a distressed ambulance service program aimed at identifying struggling emergency medical services and helping them stabilize operations. The subcommittee did not act on the bill and set it aside for further information gathering.
Senator Mather said the program was vetted in interim work and described it as a way to create a formal process for areas losing ambulance coverage; she said the program is intended to ensure consistent standards and help communities maintain emergency service capacity. Senator Davidson said he supports creating the program in principle but urged that initial funding be explicit and limited to one‑time dollars to develop the program: he proposed using one‑time funds (for example, $200,000) to contract for consulting and program development rather than immediately adding an ongoing FTE.
Other senators representing rural areas said they were unfamiliar with local ambulance conditions and asked for time to consult with their local providers before the committee proceeds. Senator Mangrum and others emphasized the practical problem that many rural ambulance services rely heavily on volunteers and low pay, and suggested that direct funding or better compensation for providers could be a necessary part of any long‑term solution.
Committee members and staff noted that the bill establishes authorities and processes but does not itself include funding; the department could seek appropriation for implementation in its budget or the legislature could add one‑time funds in an appropriations bill. Members suggested inviting stakeholders — including ambulance associations, the department division that licenses services, Representative Weiss (who introduced related interim work), and testimony from Chris Price and other emergency medical services representatives — to provide data on service closures, licensing issues and rural funding models before a final vote.
The chair set SB 2033 aside and directed staff to seek additional written testimony and fiscal detail; committee members asked legislative staff to provide a breakout of the $7 million appropriated in the prior session that targeted ambulance services funding so members could see where those dollars were distributed.
