News

There are several Bills working through the Oklahoma House and Senate which have the ability to either positively or negatively impact EMS in our state. We want you to be aware and also hear what work OKAMA is doing on behalf of both member and non-member EMS entities to ensure the funding of EMS systems while keeping citizens safe.  Below is a brief summary of the legislative initiatives. Remember that you can look them up to read them in detail and also follow their progress in the Chambers and Committees by using this search:

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BasicSearchForm.aspx

 HJR1057 – Proposed amendments increase the Mill Levy cap for 522 District funding.  In current form, the proposed cap increases from 3 mills to 10 mills. OKAMA is actively encouraging lawmakers to pass this measure.  As you speak with your legislators and their constituents, remind them that, with this important constitutional change, taxation does not automatically increase for taxpayers. Successfully seeing this bill pass would then allow communities who are served by a 522 District to vote on how much they are willing to enhance EMS funding in their area, or, allow it to remain the same.  Even if your EMS agency is not part of a 522 District, we believe it is important for you to support this measure. We all benefit when EMS systems anywhere in Oklahoma find supporters to enhance system funding!

 SB1441 – This Senate Bill adds language in 63 O.S. 2021, Section 1-2515 that would allow EMS companies to contract with hospitals in ANY area of the state to provide interfacility transports.  This practice would be allowed even when a sole-source or exclusive contract is in place with the local EMS entity. OKAMA strongly opposes the proposed language and is asking legislators to vote against it.  You know that local EMS services rely on user revenues generated from providing both emergency and non-emergency transports to the communities they serve. OKAMA believes the passage of this measure would threaten funding systems in place for local EMS, and bypass EMS oversight and medical direction mechanisms established by those local communities.

 SB1515 – Amendatory language addresses Title 63, Section 1-2503, beginning with a proposed change to allow certified EMRAs to transport patients in limited situations and only upon approval of appropriate medical control.  Later in the document is new language that removes, from transport protocols, an obligation to transport some patients whose condition does not warrant ambulance transportation.  It would be a good idea if you read those sections in the bill to understand better what they mean to you. OKAMA is currently choosing neither to support nor oppose this bill. It may make sense that some EMS agencies and patient populations could benefit from the language change.  However, it will be wise to follow this bill and anticipate what conversations you will want to have with your medical director and area EMRAs should it pass.  OKAMA believes that successful implementation of either of these changes will depend on strong communication between public entities, active medical director involvement, and robust polices that emphasize patient safety.

HB3132 – Language in the bill proposes new law to be codified in a new section identified as Section 1-2516.1 of Title 63. This change would allow the governing body of (local EMS) “…to enter into agreements with local first responder agencies…for the purpose of acquiring assistance with emergency medical response.”  The language is vague and does not specify EMR, police officer, firefighter or other specific first responders. It appears that the local governing body would determine who they would allow to respond to or from an emergency request in the ambulance.  OKAMA recognizes the need to support ambulance services of all sizes across the state, and we know many services are struggling to secure traditional EMS employees.  The vagueness of the language is concerning. OKAMA continues to evaluate this bill and we would appreciate hearing from you if you have a position on the proposed amendment.

HB4371 – Proposed language here would amend Title 85A, Section 47 (worker’s compensation) and is specific to weekly benefits paid to a surviving spouse of public safety officers (including EMTs).  Existing language identifies that those payments would continue while the surviving spouse remains unmarried. The proposed change would continue those payments whether or not the surviving spouse remarries.  OKAMA supports the amended language and encourages legislators to unanimously support it. We appreciate that the state recognizes the important contribution that EMS providers make to the well-being of Oklahomans.

Please open the below link to read the shortened version of the federal Covid vacination regulations.  

REGULATIONS REGARDING STAFF VACCINATION 11.23.21-Final-V..4 (1).docx

The Stars of Life Awards Banquet will be held on December 8, 2021 at the Post Oak Lodge, Tulsa, Oklahoma.  This banquet will include Stars for  2020 and 2021.  Please contact us if you have questions or need further information.

September 27, 2021

Dear Oklahoma Ambulance Providers and Vendor Partners:

The 2022 Oklahoma Ambulance Association’s Membership Drive is Underway!!

The Oklahoma Ambulance Association (OKAMA) is pleased to announce our 2022 membership drive and we welcome back our current members and we look forward to new members joining the ranks of our Association. As we look forward to 2022, we will continue to work diligently, improving and protecting the ambulance industry’s place in the state, but we need your help and support to continue our mission. Our industry continues to face incredible reimbursement and funding issues as well as regulatory concerns at a local, statewide, and national level. The challenges are complex, but with your support the Oklahoma Ambulance Association can make a difference.

Last winter, OKAMA was instrumental in receiving and distributing Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) funds that were allocated to the state by the federal government.  Our comprehensive request document resulted in a $5,000,000 award that was distributed to all licensed ambulance services that provide ground emergency medical transportation in our state.  None of this would have been possible without OKAMA and your support.

Since 2002, OKAMA has worked countless hours to promote communication, understanding and advances for EMS in our state and our work continues. We at OKAMA stand ready to represent the interests of EMS and ambulance services in the unexpected situations that present any new challenges. OKAMA continues to be strong. Our member companies account for over 85% of all ambulance transports in the state of Oklahoma; these numbers allow OKAMA to be a strong advocate for the Oklahoma ambulance industry.

Please complete a membership application, found on our website www.okama.org and return with your dues before December 31, 2021. Through your participation and support will we have a stronger, more unified representative voice.

Respectfully,

Greg Reid

President

The Oklahoma Ambulance Association and its Board of Directors extend our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, loved ones as well as the personnel and medics of Creek County EMS in the death of Rita Diehl. 

 

Rita Diehl, Executive Director of Creek County EMS, honorably served her local EMS community for over 39 years and proudly served all of Oklahoma EMS through her leadership and very active role as member and President of the Oklahoma Ambulance Association.  Our dear friend and colleague will be greatly missed.

Obituary and Service information:  https://greenhillok.com/tribute/details/7779/Rita-Diehl/obituary.html#tribute-start

The Oklahoma Ambulance Association is excited to announce that the Stars of Life event will return for 2021.  The event will be held on September 8, 2021 at Post Oak Lodge.  Stars submission and event information is available on the Event page.

 

OKAMA is deeply concerned about the initiative for managed care in Oklahoma.  Managed Care would have a tremendous negative impact on Oklahoma healthcare.  This is especially true for rural EMS providers. Watch below as OKAMA member Johnny Red from Sinor EMS, provides a presentation from an EMS perspective.

https://fb.watch/52TmLmkQrV/

Additional links for more information are provided below. 

Tulsa World Article:

https://tulsaworld.com/opinion/columnists/susan-savage-private-medicaid-management-is-a-dubious-solution-to-a-problem-we-don-t/article_9e921046-9ef6-11eb-9ccb-c77748b7e5d4.html

New York Times article:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/25/us/rural-ambulance-coronavirus.html

Fighting the Oklahoma Initiative:

www.healthcareholdup.com

OKAMA will host a virtual spring conference on February 24, 2021.   Please see the "EVENTS" page for details.

 Jimmy Johnson and Greg Reid with Covid Relief Funds for EMS

OKAMA Secures $5 Million in COVID Relief Funds for Oklahoma Ambulance Agencies

To Receive a Share of the Funds, Providers Must Act by 5:00 P.M. on 12/27/2020

OKAMA is pleased to announce that the State of Oklahoma has directed at least $5,000,000 to Oklahoma’s EMS industry. The distribution, received on December 22, 2020, comes from Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) funds allocated to Oklahoma by the federal government.

Licensed ambulance services that provide ground emergency medical transportation in Oklahoma will be eligible to receive funding equaling nearly $6,200 per licensed transport ambulance. Additional funds could be secured in the future.

OKAMA board members are making an effort to contact each licensed provider in the state about this funding opportunity. Providers must apply for funds by completing a simple form and must agree to spend the funds in a way that complies with federal requirements. The deadline for application is 5:00 P.M. on 12/27/2020

OKAMA expects to begin distributing funds by the second week of January 2021. By accepting funds, providers agree to make available documentation of expenses that prove qualification to receive these funds. OKAMA is confident that all licensed services have incurred expenses from March 1-December 30, 2020 related to one or more of the following:

• -          Expense related to increased need for masks, gowns, and other personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect against potential exposures to COVID-19.
• -          Expense for personnel who missed work due to COVID infection, isolation, or quarantine, but were paid while away.
• -          Expense for personnel who covered the absence of sick, quarantined or isolated employees.
• -          Expense for increased staffing to meet local requirements, expectations, or operational objectives.
• -          Expense related to increased use of supplies (oxygen, drugs, or other non-PPE supplies) as patient transports showed increased acuity (sicker patients) and increased frequency.
• -          Expenses related to increased per-item costs for PPE and other supplies as demand increased and available supplies decreased.
• -          Expenses related increased costs of the decontamination of ambulances, equipment, personnel and stations. 
• -          Expense related to responding, providing care, and transporting an increased number of patients who had no or inadequate healthcare coverage due to loss of employment or work.

The list is not all-inclusive, but we believe that all of the experiences listed above will qualify under the government’s description of qualifying expenses. As with all grants of government funds, recipients should expect that expenditures to qualify are subject to review and audit.

Again, the deadline to apply for CARES funding of approximately $6,200 per licensed transport ambulance is 5:00 P.M. on 12/27/2020

To download applicable documents:

Click here LETTER TO DIRECTORS ANNOUNCING AWARD, 12-20-2020.docx

Click here:Coronavirus-Relief-Fund-Guidance-for-State-Territorial-Local-and-Tribal-Governments.pdf

Click here:OKAMA CARES CLAIM FORM, FILLABLE, 12-2020.pdf

If you have any questions, please contact:  Greg Reid at 405-613-7443,

 Vanessa Brewington at 580-334-4269 or

 E-mail us at: okama.email@gmail.com.

On behalf of all Oklahoma EMS ground providers; The Oklahoma Ambulance Association has submitted a request for reimbursement of costs associated with the Covid 19 Pandemic.  The document can be found here: OKAMA CARES Request-FINAL.pdf