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House approves EMS transport overhaul that creates complaint pathway to state health division
Summary
Lawmakers passed a third-substitute HB121 that adds oversight for non-emergency interfacility ambulance transport by allowing stakeholders and the public to lodge complaints with the Department of Health's EMS division; complaints found meritorious can be referred to local jurisdictions to remedy or initiate an RFP process.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah House approved third substitute House Bill 121 on March 5, a compromise bill intended to increase accountability for non-emergency interfacility ambulance transport.
Representative Hughes, sponsor of the bill, said stakeholders including the League of Cities and Towns, private providers and fire chiefs worked collaboratively on the language. Under the bill, the Department of Health’s Emergency Medical Services Division would receive complaints from political jurisdictions, hospitals or members of the public. If the department deems complaints meritorious, it may refer them to the affected political jurisdiction, which may then work with providers or issue a request for proposals (RFP).
Hughes told the House the bill aims to strike a balance between local control and system accountability for non‑emergency transport where private providers operate. Several members described the current ‘convenience and necessity’ licensing process as onerous and said the new procedure provides intermediate remedies short of proving a provider "is not doing their job." Supporters described the bill as a collaborative solution that preserves local control while creating a practical mechanism to resolve recurring service problems.
Representative Harper and others characterized the measure as a long-awaited truce in the "ambulance wars," and Representative Jean Lockhart urged support. The House passed the third substitute HB121 by voice vote; Clerk reported 64 yes and 2 no.
The bill will be transmitted to the Senate. If enacted, the Department of Health would take on an ombudsman-like role for interfacility transportation complaints and local jurisdictions would retain primary authority to fix service problems or rebid transport services.
