KAPA denies further amendments planned for HB469

By JAMES RITCHEY
Chairman, Kentucky Ambulance Providers Association Legislative Committee

LAWRENCEBURG — To my knowledge, Kentucky House Bill 469 will be voted on this week in the House of Representatives. No floor amendments have been filed and I am not aware of any floor amendments that will be filed. 

The Kentucky Ambulance Providers Association Board has indicated today that they are still in favor of the language that exists in the committee substitute and that they want no amendments added to the bill. Every effort is being made by the KAPA legislative committee to respond to every concern that has been raised. The debate has been good. The debate has been productive and will lead to a stronger EMS profession in Kentucky over time. I, myself, have great respect for all those who have spoken for and against sections of the bill. I am encouraged by the amount of interest that this bill has raised and the debate it has generated. 

The KAPA legislative committee will meet with Kentucky Association of EMTs President Bobby Thacker on Thursday of this week to discuss issues that were raised by his organization this week. We are confident of a very positive and productive meeting and we welcome the opportunity for such a meeting and highly respect Bobby Thacker for his interest in this matter. Mike Swift, President of KAPA and John Blumenstock, KAPA Board Member, have already held productive discussions with Mr. Thacker on issues concerning HB 469. HB 469 will become an even stronger base for the future of EMS in Kentucky due to these meetings and the meeting on Thursday.

I still want to encourage "anyone" with a question or concern about HB 469 to contact myself or Mike Swift. We want this to truly be the best bill possible for EMS in Kentucky. We (KAPA) want no one left out of the discussions.

This week, a bill authorizing a task force to study the funding needs of Fire and EMS will be introduced. In addition, a bill to expand the scope of practice for EMT's has been introduced and will be supported strongly by KAPA. Several bills that will have a dramatic impact on future retirement benefits for EMS and Fire Service personnel have been filed. The KAPA legislative committee is very concerned about the negative impact that some of the retirement legislation would have on both fire and EMS if they were adopted. So, the plate is full. The workload is heavy. KAPA's legislative committee will be busy in Frankfort working to improve and protect the future of EMS in Kentucky. We ask that EMS folks stay informed and that when they have questions, to please call us and let us attempt to resolve questions and deal with concerns. The KAPA Legislative Committee can be reached at (502) 680-0550. All calls will be answered and all calls are welcome.

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