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Lawmakers hear bill to protect federal EMS reimbursements as federal rules change
Summary
House Bill 4156 would broaden statutory language around the Medicaid ground emergency medical transport (GEMT) funding mechanism to allow alternative federally compliant methods, aiming to preserve reimbursements to public EMS and fire departments amid federal rule changes.
House Bill 4156 would modify existing statute governing the ground emergency medical transportation (GEMT) reimbursement program to permit the Oregon Health Authority and stakeholders to use alternate federally compliant funding mechanisms if the intergovernmental transfer (IGT) approach becomes unavailable.
"House bill 41 56 protects federal funding for Oregon fire and EMS services, ensuring continuity... and supports rural communities statewide," Connor Roberts testified for the bill's chief sponsor, Rep. Greg Smith. Amy Hannafin of the Oregon Fire Chiefs Association and other fire and EMS leaders described rising costs and reimbursement shortfalls, saying local governments and fire districts increasingly rely on GEMT funds to cover uncompensated costs.
The testimony quantified fiscal scale: last year more than $18 million was reimbursed to public EMS providers statewide under the program. Witnesses warned that losing that funding would risk ambulance service reductions or closures in rural areas and urged the Legislature to broaden statutory language so OHA can pursue compliant alternatives without immediate program interruption.
OHA staff and the Treasurer's office participated in the discussion; OHA testified it supports the bill as a path forward and looks forward to implementation if the measure passes.
Next steps: committee closed the hearing; the bill will proceed to further consideration with stakeholder and OHA rulework as needed.
