Florida Aero Medical Association

Meeting Minutes

January 16, 2003

Jacksonville

 

·                     Meeting called to order by Johnny Delgado at 1309.

·                     Previous minutes.

·                     Treasury Report by Nancy Hunter:

Balance 7/10/02:   $1198.00

Deposits                          $   525.00

Withdrawls            $     45.00

Balance 7/10/02:           $1678.00

 

·                     Membership:

The 2003 memberships are due now through April 30, 2003. As a reminder, if the membership is not current, you will not be eligible to vote.

 

·                     AAMS Update/President’s Report:  

The reimbursement checks for 9/11 have been sent out although no checks have been received.

 

MTLI (Medical transport Leadership Institute) is at the end of April 2003. Check AAMS website for info.

 

Government Affairs Conference (March 9-12, 2003)

          FAA Part 135 re-write (info to follow as received)

                   Pilot duty times

                   Heliport design issue

                   How will this effect Part 91 and aircraft equipment?

 

Air Medical Transport Congress: (1st week in September, 2003)

          Coordinated by Frank Thomas, Salt Lake City

Discuss the future and direction of the industry (clinical, safety, compliance, regulatory issues)

                             Website based survey will go out in 2-3 months.

 

                   AMTC: Reno 2003, Cincinnati 2004

 

OHS: A pilot program has been developed to issue secure transponder codes as a method of notification to NORAD and the FAA. Governor Bush was asked to expedite due to the critical nature of air response required in the event of a major event. Programs are to call the OES for Emergency Support under Function 8 to get transponder codes within an hour.

 

·                     DOT Course:

A subcommittee was formed, chaired by John Scott.  After a conference call on Oct 30th, these four major objectives were identified:

          Minimum criteria for the course

          Minimum number of hours to conduct the course

          Minimum instructor requirements

          Enforcement (regulatory) process

 

 

 

 

·                     FL Medicaid Reimbursement:

 

Bill Bryant, a private consultant, was asked to give an update on what FAMA (and its members) will need to do in order to move forward with the process of increasing Medicaid reimbursement to resemble Medicare reimbursement.

 

Requirements to move forward:

*Cost (Texas spent $50,000 which breaks down to approx 1-2 transports/program)

          *Lobbyist

          *Manage the process

 

Obstacles:    *Budget problem ($2 billion deficit)

                   *Expected Medicaid reductions

 

Benefits:      *Need $5.7 million (60% covered by Federal Government and 40% [$2.2mil ] covered by the State).

                   *Good cause (especially due to our pediatric population)

                   *Good reputation for the industry

                   *Homeland Security

                   *Disaster Relief

 

Medicare fee structure:

                   Urban          $3500.00

                   Rural           $5300.00

 

Our Goal:     Average                 $4400.00  includes base rate and miles

miles are calculated at 50 ( average loaded miles in FL <50)

 

                   Recommendations:

                             Group effort required

                             Develop a plan

                             Develop a story to present

                             Find a champion (that is on the right committee)

 

Kevin Hutton from Golden Hour (San Diego, CA) offered to contribute to the cost and assist in managing the financial commitment.

 

There was a recommendation to be present in Tallahassee on March 8, 2003 for Emergency Medicine Day.

 

Motion made by John Scott and seconded by Maria Fernandez:

      

In an effort to maintain access to care, the membership authorizes the Executive Board and its members to approach their State legislators on behalf of FAMA for the purpose of raising the Florida Medicaid rate to the federally described Medicare fee schedule, at the minimum.

 

 

 

 

 

*        State Report from Susan McDevitt:

See FL Chapter: ASTNA minutes for comprehensive report.

 

·                     EMS Advisory Council:

The new committees began meeting on Jan 15, 2003.

         

          Education Committee by Karen Chamberlain:

                   They will be focusing on scopes of practice and education requirements.

          Injury Prevention/Public Relations Committee by Amy Paratora:

They will be looking at prevention programs, impact on the public and legislation regarding helmet and seatbelt laws (Florida becoming a primary seatbelt state).

 

·                     Group Reports:

 

FL Chapter: ASTNA – see website for minutes

Neo/Pedi Transport Assoc – see website for minutes

 

 

 

·                     Meeting Adjournment: 1500

Motion made by Jim Howard and seconded by Ken Grimes.

 

The next membership meeting will held in Orlando in July. Details to follow.

 

There will be an Executive Committee meeting held in April in Tallahassee.

         

 

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