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Union urges feasibility study on universal funding for EMS amid revenue and workforce strains
Summary
IAFF Local 851 President Brett Deaton told the committee that ambulance services rely on fee‑for‑service billing with low collection rates (about 26% in his jurisdiction), heavy Medicare/Medicaid payor shares and under‑reimbursement; he requested a state feasibility study of a universal funding model for EMS.
Brett Deaton, president of IAFF Local 851 and an EMS representative for Lane County, urged the committee to commission a feasibility study on a universal or single‑payer funding model for ambulance services after outlining funding shortfalls and workforce pressures.
Deaton said ambulance transport in most of Oregon is financed by a fee‑for‑service model with a large share of…
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