News: KAPA receives national recognition for federal legislative achievements

The American Ambulance Association presents the Kentucky Ambulance Providers Association with their 2008 Partnership Award at their annual conference in Las Vegas on Dec. 2. From left, John Blumenstock (Golden Hour Data and former KAPA board member), Joe Prewitt (Nelson County EMS and KAPA board member), Mark Harrison (Marshall County EMS and KAPA president), John Hultgren (Air Methods Kentucky and KAPA board member), and Jim McPartlon (American Ambulance Association president). EMS Connection photo by Robin Hultgren.

LAS VEGAS, Nevada — The Kentucky Ambulance Providers Association (KAPA) has received national recognition as an example of how a state ambulance association can have an impact on national ambulance legislation.

KAPA was presented with the American Ambulance Association’s 2008 Partnership Award at the AAA’s national conference in Las Vegas Tuesday evening, where they were credited with being instrumental in getting EMS added to national Homeland Security Grant programs and for obtaining an increase in Medicare reimbursements that will help struggling ambulance services across the nation.

The Partnership Award, presented by AAA President Jim McPartlon, is presented to individuals who have made an outstanding commitment of time and resources in accomplishing a specific objective or project for the AAA.

KAPA was nominated for this award because of their federal legislative activities, including an annual Washington, DC, Congressional trip by several of its members and their partnership with AAA during those trips.

Tristan North, AAA Senior Vice President for Government Affairs, said “The Kentucky Ambulance Providers Association was instrumental in securing much needed Medicare ambulance relief and served as an important partner on other key industry initiatives, such as additional homeland security funding for EMS providers.”

On July 15, the U.S. House of Representatives and the United States Senate both voted to override the President's veto of the physician fix package which included an ambulance provision that took effect immediately. The physician fix package, the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (H.R. 6331), contains an 18-month Medicare increase of up to 3% for ambulance service providers.

Less than three months earlier KAPA had met with and obtained the support of each Kentucky congressmen, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

“This is an expensive and time-consuming activity, but as you can see it has paid off not only for all Kentucky ambulance services, but for all ambulance services across the nation,” said KAPA president Mark Harrison following the award presentation. “Since 2003, we have been meeting with each of Kentucky’s Congressional members in their Capital offices, developing relationships and their trust, and educating them on the many challenges that ambulance services in Kentucky face in providing quality emergency medical services to the citizens of our Commonwealth.”

“While it is a great honor to be recognized for your efforts,” Harrison said, “the big benefit that I see is that now we can partner with other states, particularly states with key Congressional leaders, and continue educating Congress on ways they can help us improve emergency medical services. It’s not just about what federal dollars can my town or county get, but how can we help improve the quality of a national emergency medical services system that is already recognized as the best in the world.”

Accepting the award on behalf of KAPA were: Mark Harrison (Marshall County EMS and KAPA president), John Hultgren (Air Methods Kentucky and KAPA board member), Joe Prewitt (Nelson County EMS and KAPA board member), and John Blumenstock (Golden Hour Data and former KAPA board member).