KAPA extends thanks to those who worked on HB405

By BOB GAINER
President, Kentucky Ambulance Providers Association 

ASHLAND — Kentucky House Bill 405, also known as EMS 2000, passed unanimously in the Senate yesterday.

Many thanks to the multitude of EMS folks all over the State who worked very hard to see this legislation pass. It is now extremely important that we contact our legislators again and express our sincere appreciation for passing this much needed legislation. 

HB405 was the first major piece of legislation which was worked on and supported by all sections, associations, and individuals in EMS in Kentucky. However, there is still work to be done. The bill must go back to the House for a quick concurrence. We then will work with the budget committee next week at which it is possible we might even be granted more funding than the current appropriation. And then there comes the major move from the Cabinet including establishing the Board, finding a home, hiring staff, etc. 

Over the next several months, many of us will be assisting in this transition. Many of the items on the "wish list" were sacrificed in order to get the key components of the legislation passed. Yes, we are jubilant that HB405 has passed. But there is much work to be done. More "pieces" to be legislated in the years to come. We cannot, and will not rest on our laurels. We cannot afford to. 

Now that we have seen what working together can accomplish, let us not forget that lesson. We must stick together. Again, remember the motto: United We Stand. Please take a few minutes to contact your own legislators and thank them profusely for helping EMS. 

We will need their help again in the future. Continually, even as soon as this coming week when we are working with them to increase the funding. My personal "thank you" to everyone who had a part in EMS 2000. You might think that your contribution was small but, indeed, it was a huge part of a major accomplishment. As we have said all along, this was not a KAPA bill, it was not a CKEMSA bill, it was THE EMS BILL. 

Congratulations to everyone for a job well done.

Sincerely, 
Bob Gainer, KAPA President

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