Ambulance association backs bill aligning QAF with federal rule to protect EMS funding
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Summary
Witnesses told the committee SB 6,102 aligns Washington’s ambulance quality assurance fee with recent federal guidance and preserves wage/benefit gains for EMS; proponents said failure to align could jeopardize the program under HR1.
Senate Bill 6,102 would align Washington state’s Ambulance Transport Quality Assurance Fee (QAF) program with federal rules referenced in HR1, which limit new provider taxes and prohibit increases to certain pre‑existing provider taxes after a given enactment date. Committee staff explained the bill sets the annual fee rate to the rate in effect on July 4, 2025, beginning July 1, 2026, and requires the Health Care Authority to calculate the add‑on rate annually to reflect available fee amounts.
Mike Battis, president of the Washington Ambulance Association, told the committee that the QAF has been the most impactful bill for EMS in recent years, producing industry‑wide wage and benefit increases he estimated at about 30%. Battis said without the change required by HR1 the program would be at risk and EMS could revert to pre‑pandemic funding levels that previously strained services.
Committee staff recorded strong pro sign‑ins (50 pro, 1 con) and closed the hearing. The bill was positioned as a technical alignment to preserve an existing funding stream rather than a policy expansion.
What happens next: Proponents asked for the bill to move forward to maintain funding stability for EMS; technical staff and stakeholders will follow up on HCA implementation details.
