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Committee approves extension of Maddy EMS fund amid concerns over reliance on criminal fees
Summary
AB 1607 would extend the Maddy Emergency Medical Services Fund that reimburses unreimbursed emergency care; proponents warned HR1‑driven coverage losses will increase ED demand, while civil‑rights groups objected to funding EMS via criminal and traffic fines. The committee passed the measure (vote recorded 11‑0).
The Senate Committee on Health approved AB 1607 to extend the Maddy EMS fund, a county‑administered penalty assessment program that reimburses emergency providers for uncompensated care and funds pediatric trauma centers.
Assemblymember Mark Gonzales said the Maddy Fund helps keep emergency doors open and physicians on shifts. Tim Madden of the California chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians, a cosponsor, said RAND research and expected federal coverage reductions from HR1 threaten emergency care capacity and that extension of the fund is needed to avoid longer waits and worse outcomes.
John Polin, executive director of the Sierra Sacramento Valley EMS Agency, described how counties use the fund and Ritchie's Fund to support pediatric trauma centers and other essential EMS functions. Supporters urged an I vote; numerous counties, hospital associations and EMS organizations registered support.
Civil‑rights advocates, including ACLU California Action, acknowledged the fund’s role but urged the Legislature to find alternatives to relying on criminal fees and penalty assessments that can disproportionately burden low‑income and Black and Latino Californians. Senators asked the author to consider shorter sunsets or phased reductions to encourage development of more equitable funding streams.
The committee recorded an 11‑0 vote to pass AB 1607 as amended; the bill will be re‑referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
