Emergency Care Improvement Act

12/21/2024, 9:05 AM

Emergency Care Improvement Act

This bill permanently allows for coverage under Medicare and Medicaid of services that are provided by freestanding emergency centers. The bill takes effect May 11, 2023.

Bill 118 hr 1694, also known as the Emergency Care Improvement Act, aims to improve emergency medical services and care in the United States. The bill focuses on several key areas to enhance emergency care, including increasing funding for emergency medical services (EMS) providers, improving coordination between EMS providers and hospitals, and enhancing training for EMS personnel.

One of the main provisions of the bill is the allocation of additional funding for EMS providers to ensure they have the resources necessary to respond to emergencies effectively. This funding will help EMS providers purchase necessary equipment, hire and train personnel, and improve overall service delivery.

The bill also emphasizes the importance of coordination between EMS providers and hospitals to ensure seamless transitions for patients in need of emergency care. By improving communication and collaboration between these two entities, the bill aims to reduce wait times and improve patient outcomes. Additionally, the Emergency Care Improvement Act includes provisions to enhance training for EMS personnel. This training will focus on providing EMS personnel with the skills and knowledge necessary to respond to a wide range of emergencies, including natural disasters, mass casualty incidents, and medical emergencies. Overall, the Emergency Care Improvement Act seeks to strengthen the emergency care system in the United States by providing additional funding, improving coordination between EMS providers and hospitals, and enhancing training for EMS personnel. By addressing these key areas, the bill aims to ensure that all Americans have access to high-quality emergency medical services when they need them most.
Congress
118

Number
HR - 1694

Introduced on
2023-03-22

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

3/22/2023

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Emergency Care Improvement Act

This bill permanently allows for coverage under Medicare and Medicaid of services that are provided by freestanding emergency centers. The bill takes effect May 11, 2023.

Bill 118 hr 1694, also known as the Emergency Care Improvement Act, aims to improve emergency medical services and care in the United States. The bill focuses on several key areas to enhance emergency care, including increasing funding for emergency medical services (EMS) providers, improving coordination between EMS providers and hospitals, and enhancing training for EMS personnel.

One of the main provisions of the bill is the allocation of additional funding for EMS providers to ensure they have the resources necessary to respond to emergencies effectively. This funding will help EMS providers purchase necessary equipment, hire and train personnel, and improve overall service delivery.

The bill also emphasizes the importance of coordination between EMS providers and hospitals to ensure seamless transitions for patients in need of emergency care. By improving communication and collaboration between these two entities, the bill aims to reduce wait times and improve patient outcomes. Additionally, the Emergency Care Improvement Act includes provisions to enhance training for EMS personnel. This training will focus on providing EMS personnel with the skills and knowledge necessary to respond to a wide range of emergencies, including natural disasters, mass casualty incidents, and medical emergencies. Overall, the Emergency Care Improvement Act seeks to strengthen the emergency care system in the United States by providing additional funding, improving coordination between EMS providers and hospitals, and enhancing training for EMS personnel. By addressing these key areas, the bill aims to ensure that all Americans have access to high-quality emergency medical services when they need them most.
Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of services furnished by freestanding emergency centers.

Policy Areas
Health

Potential Impact
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Health care costs and insurance
Health facilities and institutions
Medicaid
Medicare

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary4/17/2023

Emergency Care Improvement Act

This bill permanently allows for coverage under Medicare and Medicaid of services that are provided by freestanding emergency centers. The bill takes effect May 11, 2023.


Latest Action12/17/2024
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.