Region 1

Mark Harrison (Secretary)

Present

Region 2

Nell Thomas

Present

Region 3

Greg Ellis

Absent

Region 4

Mike Swift (President)

Present

Region 5

Barry Brown

Present

Region 6

Sherman Hockenbury

Absent

Region 7

Mark Bailey

Absent

Region 8

Don Adams

Region 9

Bob Dixon

Absent

Region 10

Michael Mason

Present

Region 11

Joe Bradshaw (Vice-President)

Present

Region 12

Charlie Shaw

Present

Region 13

Brian Lindell

Present

Region 14

James Ritchey

Present

Region 15

John David Gantly

Absent

Region 16

Bob Gainer

Present

At Large

Jim Butler

Billy Miller

Jim Inman

John Blumenstock

Jamie Locke

Present

Present

Present

Present

Others Attending

Approximately thirty people from the membership attended.

ITEM

DISCUSSION

ACTION

Call to order

President Mike Swift called the meeting to order at 1:00 pm ET and announced that a quorum was present.

Mr. Billy Miller led the opening prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

None Needed

Approve the minutes

On a motion by Jamie Locke, seconded by Nell Thomas, the minutes of the previous meeting were approved as written.

Motion Passed

Treasurer's Report

Billy Miller, Treasurer presented the financial report and distributed the financial sheets to the board. Current cash balance of accounts are as follows; EMS Conference $5,814.80; KAPA $25,223.75; KAPA CD 12,096.68; Total of all accounts is $43,135.23. Motion to accept by C. Shaw, second by J. Blumenstock.

Following a brief discussion, a motion was made by B. Brown and seconded by B. Gainer to move $10,000 from the general fund into the CD.

Motion Passed

Motion Passed

Outstanding Conference Bills

Outstanding bills from last year's conference were discussed. Billy Miller will try to contact each agency with an outstanding debt to KAPA.

None needed

Don Adams representing region 8 has been unable to serve for the past several months due to health problems. Don has recommended that the board appoint Bill Gullet from Morgan County. Motion to accept by C. Shaw with a second by J. Bradshaw. Mr. Gullet will serve the KAPA Board until the next regular election in September.

Motion Passed

By-Laws Update by

Bob Gainer

The following changes were made:

Article II Section1- Motion by C. Shaw, second by J. Bradshaw to define the location of the "principle office of this association" as being the city/county of the Treasurer.

Article III Section2- Motion by C. Shaw, second by J. Bradshaw to change to read as follows; "An Ambulance Organization of this Association shall be a licensed conforming ambulance service operating within the Commonwealth of Kentucky. They shall pay such dues as fixed by the Board of Directors.

Article III Section 3- Motion by C. Shaw, second by J. Blumenstock to change title to read "Affiliate Members".

Article III Section 8- Motion by B. Miller, second by C. Shaw to change sentence to read "An ambulance organization member shall designate one person who shall represent the organization in this Association".

Article IV Section 3- No change made to language. Motion by C. Shaw, second by J. Locke for the Vice-President to notify all delegates in writing at least 30 days prior, notice of the annual meeting.

Article V Section 1- Motion by C. Shaw, second by J. Locke to add the words "at minimum" to this section.

Article V Power of Directors- Language is unclear. Bob Gainer will consult with our attorney and report at the next meeting.

Article VII Section 5- Motion by C. Shaw, second by J. Blumenstock to correct a typo. Change "or" to "for".

Article VIII Section 8 Treasurer & Article IX Finance- Both deal with audits. Bob Gainer will consult with our attorney and report at the next meeting.

Article XI Amendments- Motion by C. Shaw, second by J. Butler to discuss at the annual meeting.

Motion Passed

Motion Passed

Motion Passed

Motion Passed

Motion Passed

Motion Passed

No Action

Motion Passed

No Action

Motion Passed

Conference Report

Jim Butler gave a brief report of how the conference planning was going. He noted that everything was on schedule and that we would be able to accept credit cards for registration fees this year. A motion by C. Shaw, second by B. Gainer to accept payments by credit card.

Motion Passed

KAEMT- EMS Olympics

Steve Becraft addressed the board asking for a donation from KAPA. Following Mr. Becraft's presentation, a motion was made by C. Shaw to donate $800 to sponsor the EMS Olympics. A second was made by J. Locke. A lengthy discussion ensued. Many members were unhappy about the management and disorganization of the Olympics last year. Many agencies were notified late about regional competitions. Others felt that KAPA should take a more active role in the Olympics and that Steve Becraft should report to the board at the annual meeting. After a very long discussion of the issues, a vote was called for.

Motion Passed with four voting no.

Conference Brochures

James Ritchey stated that Anderson County Ambulance Service would be mailing all brochures again this year. He asked that the board approve the purchase of postage stamps for the mass mailing. Motion to approve by C. Shaw, second by J. Locke.

Motion Passed

Star of Life Awards

President Swift stated that the AAA Star of Life awards nomination forms would be used for the Kentucky EMS awards this year. Winners will be nominated at the national level representing Kentucky. The AAA recognizes EMT, Paramedic, Dispatcher and Provider.

Motion by B. Miller, second by B. Gainer for Jamie Locke and his committee to proceed with the work of seeking and receiving nominations for this year's award winners.

None Needed

Motion Passed

Legislative Update

James Ritchey

James commented that the "Road Show" for HB 469 was complete. Attendance was good at all meetings across the state. At this time there are no plans to introduce any new legislation in 2003. James encouraged KAPA to simply support bills sponsored by KAEMT, KMA, etc. during the next session.

None Needed

Regulations- Reporting Issue & Continuing Education

Rocky Johnson addressed the board. He discussed at length two areas of serious concern that affect the entire EMS community.

1. CEU's: In order for an individual or an organization to approve continuing education, approval from KBEMS must be granted in some cases. If ceu's are offered for other than in-house training, the agency must receive approval as an approved educational institution from KBEMS.
2. Reporting requirements: According to KBEMS, current law requires any EMS worker to report a certified or licensed person that may simply be suspected of breeching or otherwise not complying with all current regulation or laws. If a person fails to "report", then they too are guilty and subject to disciplinary action from KBEMS. This is thought to include information learned through department CQI/QA plans, individual department internal investigations, etc. This is certainly not what HB 469 was supposed to be about and will at times be in conflict with specific local/department policies.

Brian Bishop stated that KBEMS would be working soon to more clearly define both of these issues. Motion by B. Miller, second by M. Harrison to request that KBEMS issues an attorney opinion on the statutory enforcement of the "reporting issue".

Flag

James Ritchey made a motion that KAPA buy an American flag and stand to be displayed at all official meetings. Bob Gainer seconded.

Motion Passed

Executive Session

Regular Session Reconvened- No action taken

Motion by B. Gainer, second by J. Bradshaw to move into executive session to discuss two confidential issues.

Faye Rice of ESIP addressed the board regarding insurance coverage.

Brian Bishop addressed the board and answered many questions.

Motion to go back into regular session was made by M. Harrison, second by B. Miller.

Motion Passed

Motion Passed

CMS Update

President Swift stated that AdminaStar seems to be pleased with the transition of the fee schedule. Some providers are concerned that things are going "to well".

CMS Compliance: An OIG draft is being circulated. A written response must be made by July 22^nd.

HIPPA: Changes have been made recently which will benefit ambulance providers. Much has been mitigated from the original proposals.

CMS Mileage Payments: According to CMS, one tenth of a mile should be rounded up to the next mile.

None Needed

AED Grant

There is a federal grant being coordinated through HERSA, which will make available 12.5 million dollars this year, and the same amount next year to place AED's out into the communities in rural counties. The state board of EMS should apply on behalf of the providers. Motion by M. Harrison, second by J. Locke of support for KBEMS to apply for the Federal AED Grant for KY.

Motion Passed

Medicaid

President Swift had a meeting with Commissioner Robinson about EMS/Medicaid concerns and problems. He said the meeting was very positive.

John Blumenstock gave a brief update regarding Passport. Passport has also increased mileage reimbursement by 25%.

None Needed

KBEMS Update

Governor Patton has approved the appointments of John Blumenstock and Jamie Locke to serve on the Kentucky Board of EMS. John will be representing air ambulance and Jamie will be representing private ambulance.

Several comments were made about the importance of education. The future of EMS in Kentucky depends on the quality and availability of EMS education. Motion by M. Harrison, second by J. Locke to request that KBEMS create a lateral committee for education. This could be accomplished by simply moving the existing sub-committee.

None Needed

Motion Passed

Other Business

EMS Training Grant: John Blumenstock reported that Jewish Hospital and Norton Hospital had received a grant from the federal government to recruit healthcare workers from the inner cities.  He inquired if KAPA would be interested in trying to get a grant to encourage EMS agencies to try to recruit from the inner cities for EMT's and Paramedics. It was suggested to contact Western to inquire if they would be interested in applying for grant with KAPA's
assistance.

Public Officials Presentations: President Swift will appoint a committee to create an informational presentation on EMS. This would be an on-going program used to discuss EMS with many different organizations.

Insurance: A motion by J. Butler, second by J. Blumenstock to gather quotes and purchase board member insurance.

Motion Passed

Adjournment at 5:30 pm

Motion to adjourn by J. Locke, second by B. Miller.

Motion Passed