Tennessee Ambulance Service Association
Minutes for April 9, 2009
Lebanon, TN
            Those attending were Dennis Rowe, Doug McQuary, Mike Shankle, John Fitzsimmons, Paul Anderson, Dave Denholm, Brandon Ward, Paul Trumpore and Rhonda Philippi.
            After reviewing March minutes a motion was made by Paul Anderson and second by to Doug McQuary accept.  Motion passed.
            Financial statement showed a balance of $ 23,503.85 with a motion made by Brandon Ward to approve as presented seconded by Doug McQuary.  Motion passed.
            Rhonda Philippi discussed the recent grant application which survey was sent out for.  She received only 37 responses to the survey.  They did not receive grant this time.
            She also discussed the upcoming Star of Life program being held on May 12 at the Sheraton in Nashville.  Information and applications were passed out to those present.   For more information www.tnemsc.org
            Paul Trumpore gave a short PowerPoint presentation of the mission of the Tennessee Chaplains Association.  It also covered what services were available to emergency services in the state.  He wanted to thank TASA for their support in the past and would like consideration in the future for continued financial support.
            Brandon Ward and Mike Shankle reviewed the current legislative bills.  The following are the current bills being looked at:
2009 pending Legislative issues as of 04/09/2009
Tennessee Ambulance Service Association
Minutes for April 9, 2009
Lebanon, TN
Page 2
Legislation that is supported by the Tennessee Ambulance Service Association.
HB 1649 Jones, U.
SB 1083 Harper
                        Appropriations – As introduced, appropriates $4 million to the Bureau of                                         TennCare for the sole purpose of funding copay reimbursements for Medicare/Medicaid dual eligible enrollees who utilize emergency medical services.
This bill will put back into place the crossover money that was taken away from EMS in 2008.
The bill would be effective for FY 2009 / 2010
Action Def. in s/c Budget of FW&M to last calendar 3/18/09
HB 1113 Shepard
SB 1360 Johnson
                        TennCare – As introduced, requires the bureau of TennCare to reimburse                                                 crossover claims for full benefit dual eligibles at 100 percent of the Medicare allowable charge for ambulance services. – Amends TCA Title 71, Chapter 5.
This bill would reinstate the crossover payments that EMS lost in 2008.
Assigned to s/c Professional Occupations of HHRÂ Â Â 2/18/09
Tennessee Ambulance Service Association
Minutes for April 9, 2009
Lebanon, TN
Page 3
HB 1998 Curtiss
SB 1362 Johnson
                        TennCare – As introduced, requires providers of medical transportation for TennCare enrollees to be reimbursed by the bureau of TennCare and its MCOs for eligible services at 80 percent of current Medicare reimbursement. – Amends TCA Title 71, Chapter 5.
This bill would require TennCare and the MCO’s to reimburse both ground and air ambulances at 80% current Medicare rates.
Placed on cal. Health & Human Resources Committee for 04/14/2009 on 4/8/09
HB 0169 Casada
SB 0767Â Â Crowe
                        Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, Dept. of – As introduced, requires                                     department to report to general assembly following each meeting on transportation service for persons with developmental disabilities, mental illness, and serious emotional disturbance. – Amends TCA Title 33.
As long as the EMS industry is represented on this committee
Placed on s/c cal Civil Practice and Procedure of JUD for 04/14/2009 on 4/8/09
HB 1385 Harrison
SB 0772 Overbey
                        Mental Illness – As introduced, provides for prescreening agents, physicians, and                                   psychologists to be considered state employees when assessing persons for admission and transportation to involuntary inpatient treatment; establishes a task force to study issues related to transportation of persons to such treatment. -                                    Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 42, Part 1 and Title 33, Chapter 6, Part 9.
This bill places two people from TASA on the committee for Mental Health Transports
Placed on s/c cal Civil Practice and Procedure of JUD for 04/14/2009
Tennessee Ambulance Service Association
Minutes for April 9, 2009
Lebanon, TN
Page 4
HB 0425 Bell
SB 0198 Bunch
                        Administrative Procedure (UAPA) – As introduced, requires approval of the general assembly before a permanent rule becomes effective, repeals provisions authorizing emergency and public necessity rules. – Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 5.
This is the Tennessee Code that allowed TennCare to take away the crossover payments.
Action Def. in S. Govt. Ops. Comm. to 5/22/2009
HB 0219 Fincher
SB 1788 Herron
                        TennCare – As introduced, requires the department of health to notify each member of the general assembly of any proposed TennCare program changes that will affect services currently provided to TennCare enrollees. – Amends TCA Title3 and Title 71.
Requires that each member of the General Assembly be notified of changes in TennCare that affect more than 250 beneficiaries or affects appropriations greater than $100,000.
Placed on s/c cal Public Health and Family Assistance of HHR for 04/14/2009
HB 0469 Kelsey
SB 0725 Tate
                        Public Officials – As introduced, provides that there is no residency requirement for the position of a municipal police officer, firefighter, EMT, or EMT-P, or to apply for any such position and gives person aggrieved by any residency requirement imposed a civil cause of action. – Amends TCA Title 6, Chapter 54.
Removes laws requiring Police, Fire and EMS employees from residing within a certain geographical area.
Failed In s/c Local Government of S&LG of State & Local Government Committee
Tennessee Ambulance Service Association
Minutes for April 9, 2009
Lebanon, TN
Page 5
Tennessee Ambulance Service Association OPPOSES
HB 0106 Matheny
SB 0207 Stewart
                        Safety – As introduced, requires the emergency medical services board to develop standards for the operation and maintenance of emergency vehicles that impose certain mileage restrictions. – Amends TCA Title 68.
This is an issue that should be taken up through the Department of Health, Division of Emergency Medical Services.
Placed on cal. Health & Human Resources Committee for 04/14/2009
Mid Winter Conference – Doug McQuary announced that the contracts for 2011 and 2012 have been signed with the Park Vista.  These dates were being sent to website to be posted.  General discussion was held as to the type of speakers and subject matter for the 2010 conference.
Representatives present gave regional reports.
Meeting was adjourned with a motion by Paul Anderson and second by Brandon Ward.  Motion carried.
Mike Shankle
Secretary
