Two Hinchey Bills to Strengthen EMS and Expand Emergency Care Signed into Law

By Max Oppen

ALBANY – Two bills sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey to bolster emergency medical services (EMS) across New York State have been signed into law. These bills introduce new reimbursement options for EMS providers and expand the ability of ground ambulances to administer lifesaving blood transfusions during all emergency transports.

The first bill (S8486C), set to take effect on October 1, 2024, creates three new reimbursement avenues for EMS, allowing compensation not just for transporting patients to hospital emergency rooms but also for on-site treatment, transport to alternative healthcare facilities like urgent care and mental health clinics, and telemedicine consultations. The second bill (S6226A) removes previous restrictions that limited ambulances to providing blood transfusions only during inter-hospital transfers. Under this new law, ground ambulances can now carry and transfuse blood during any emergency transport.

Senator Hinchey stressed these changes' immediate impact on New York's EMS providers and communities. "Our legislation will finally ensure EMS gets paid for care they're not currently reimbursed for, like on-site treatment, telemedicine, and specialized transport to mental health facilities," Hinchey said. "This is especially critical in rural and medically underserved areas where EMS is often the first – and sometimes the only – line of emergency care."

Hinchey added that removing restrictions on blood transfusions in ambulances will save lives in trauma situations. "By allowing ground ambulances to administer lifesaving blood transfusions in all emergencies, not just between hospitals, we're giving our EMS teams the tools they need to help more trauma patients survive," she said.

Town of Hunter Supervisor Sean Mahoney said, "The Town of Hunter extends its sincerest gratitude to Senator Michelle Hinchey and all those members of the State Legislature who championed this critical legislation, now signed into law by Governor Hochul. As a rural ambulance service in a County without a hospital, the Hunter Area Ambulance Service has long faced the challenge of answering emergency calls with the knowledge that our ambulances may be out of service for extended periods to travel far distances, often without fair compensation. Thanks to this legislation, we and our regional partners can now be reimbursed for the vital work we perform. This is a significant victory for rural ambulance services across New York State."

EMS leaders across the state have celebrated the laws. Aidan O'Connor Jr., Executive Director of Greenport Rescue Squad Inc. in Columbia County and a former EMS Coordinator for Greene County, described the reimbursement bill as "transformational for all EMS—whether municipal, non-profit, commercial, rural, suburban, or urban." He called the blood transfusion bill "the most advanced contribution to EMS in New York State in decades."

Timothy P. Egan, Chairperson of the United New York Ambulance Network (UNYAN), said the new laws will significantly improve patient care. "The TIP/TAD law will ensure ambulance service providers are reimbursed for the care they provide to every Medicaid patient in every scenario, boosting EMS and the overall healthcare system. The ground ambulance blood transfusion law will significantly improve patient outcomes and survival rates of traumatically injured patients across New York State."

Assemblymember Anna Kelles, a co-sponsor of the reimbursement bill, highlighted its importance for rural communities where hospital access can be limited. "These services are especially critical in rural areas where hospital access may be hours away. Providing EMS with discretion to determine the emergency location that will best serve their patient's needs is common sense and provides a more efficient delivery of emergency services," Kelles said.

EMS organizations across the state have voiced strong support for the legislation. "These new laws demonstrate New York's commitment to innovation and quality in emergency medical services," said Henry Ehrhardt, President of the NYS Volunteer Ambulance and Rescue Association (NYSVARA). "The Treat-In-Place law will allow Medicaid to pay for EMS services when they provide patient-centered care without ambulance transportation to the hospital emergency room. The ground ambulance blood transfusion law will bring lifesaving care to patients with serious injuries."

NYSAC President Benjamin Boykin II also praised the laws as vital measures for financially strained EMS providers. "EMS providers are struggling to pay their bills amid rising costs, high demand for increasingly complex services, and outdated Medicaid requirements that only reimburse EMS providers when they transport a patient to a hospital," Boykin said. "Under the new Treatment in Place law, EMS providers can provide patients with the care they need at the scene, or transport them to more appropriate locations like mental health clinics, substance abuse facilities, or urgent care, without being financially penalized."

The bills garnered widespread bipartisan support during the 2024 State Legislative Session, passing the Senate and Assembly unanimously.

Senator Hinchey's efforts were supported by a broad coalition of EMS organizations, fire departments, and county health officials, including local members from Catskill Ambulance, Hunter EMS, and Greene County EMS. Both laws are expected to significantly improve emergency care across New York, particularly in rural and underserved areas.