Congressman Kennedy Introduces Bi-partisan Bill to Help Rural Emergency Services

Congressman Kennedy Introduces Bi-partisan Bill to Help Rural Emergency Services

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Mark Kennedy will introduce a bill next week, the Rural Access to Emergency Services (RAES) Act of 2005, to help ensure continued access to EMS for the 49 million Americans living in rural areas.

"An important part of vibrant rural communities is quality health care," Congressman Mark Kennedy said. "It's especially necessary to provide support for EMS in rural areas, where providers have to travel long distances. Patients could be at risk if our ambulances aren't fairly reimbursed by Medicare."

The Rural Access to Emergency Services (RAES) Act:

Integrates EMS services with state and local health care systems.
Expands Medicare's Quality Improvement Organizations to include ambulance services.
Allows Critical Access Hospitals to receive cost-based reimbursement.
Defines ambulance services as a rural health care provider, therefore allowing them to participate in telecommunications programs.

"The first bill I introduced when I came to Congress addressed the concerns of rural EMS, and it became law," said Congressman Kennedy. "I look forward to continuing my hard work to ensure EMS access to all Minnesotans, especially those in our rural areas."

http://markkennedy.house.gov/cgi-data/press/files/401.shtml