Rep. Malek’s community EMS bill wins unanimous Senate backing, heads to guv

Legislation to allow communities to set up “Community Health EMS” systems passed the Senate this evening on a unanimous, 35-0 vote, and now heads to Gov. Butch Otter. The bill, HB 153 from Rep. Luke Malek, R-Coeur d’Alene, wouldn’t cost the state anything. Instead, it would give communities the option to set up systems in which paramedics could help people with emergencies without transporting them to hospitals, and still be reimbursed.

“The current reimbursement model actually creates an incentive for the paramedics to transport that individual to the hospital,” Sen. Abby Lee, R-Fruitland, told the Senate. “So for example, when they go to a home and find out that someone needs insulin or needs a little bit of help, in this model they can treat them at home, make sure they’re stable and then leave, whereas in our current model, they can’t get reimbursed unless they transport that person to the hospital.” She said, “This is a good model. It’s been piloted. … It doesn’t create any fiscal impact to the general fund.”

Sen. Sheryl Nuxoll, R-Cottonwood, also spoke in favor of the bill. “This is a great concept,” she said. “I think this will be much more advantageous to cutting costs and helping our citizens.” The bill has six co-sponsors, including all three of the physicians who serve in the Idaho Legislature.