What's happening
This bill authorizes the Elmsford fire department to charge fees for emergency medical and ambulance services and allows related contracts.
Why it matters
Potential for increased local funding. Allowing fire departments like Elmsford's to charge for emergency medical services could provide a new revenue stream, helping to offset rising costs or budget shortfalls without relying solely on taxpayer funding.
Possible impact on residents and insurance. Individuals who require ambulance or emergency medical services may now face direct fees, which could result in higher out-of-pocket expenses or increased insurance claims, potentially affecting access and affordability.
Greater parity with private providers. This change aligns public fire department EMS billing practices with those of private ambulance services, possibly reducing competitive disadvantages faced by municipal providers.
Local control and flexibility. Fire departments are empowered to set their own fee schedules and collection rules, giving municipalities more autonomy to tailor services and funding strategies based on their community’s specific needs.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Let Elmsford Charge EMS Fees
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to local governments
- Referred to local governments
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1233
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 11, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. ABINANTI -- read once and referred to the Committee on Local Governments
AN ACT to amend the general municipal law and the town law, in relation to authorizing fees and charges for emergency medical services
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 4 of section 209-b of the general municipal law, as amended by chapter 718 of the laws of 1958, is amended to read as follows:
4. Fees and charges [prohibited] authorized. Emergency and general ambulance service, including emergency medical service as defined in section three thousand one of the public health law, authorized pursuant to this section [shall] may be furnished without cost to the person served; provided, however, that the Elmsford fire department is authorized to provide such service or services and may fix a schedule of fees or charges to be paid by persons requesting such service or services. The Elmsford fire department may provide for the collection of fees and charges or may formulate rules and regulations for the collection thereof by the fire department. The acceptance by any fireman of any personal remuneration or gratuity, directly or indirectly, from a person served shall be a ground for his expulsion or suspension as a member of the fire department or fire company.
§ 2. Paragraph (e) of subdivision 1 of section 122-b of the general municipal law, as amended by chapter 303 of the laws of 1980, is amended to read as follows:
(e) [No] A contract [shall] may be entered into pursuant to the provisions of this section for the services of an emergency rescue and first aid squad of a fire department or fire company which is subject to the provisions of section two hundred nine-b of [the general municipal law] this chapter;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03312-01-7
A. 1233 2
§ 3. Subdivision 1 of section 184 of the town law, as amended by chapter 599 of the laws of 1994, is amended to read as follows:
1. Whenever the town board shall have established or extended a fire protection district pursuant to the provisions of this article, the town board shall provide for the furnishing of fire protection within the district and for that purpose may (a) contract with any city, village, fire district or incorporated fire company maintaining adequate and suitable apparatus and appliances for the furnishing of fire protection in such district or (b) may acquire by gift or purchase such apparatus and appliances for use in such district and may contract with any city, village, fire district or incorporated fire company for operation, maintenance, and repair of the same and for the furnishing of fire protection in such district, or both. The contract may also provide for the furnishing of (1) emergency service in case of accidents, calamities or other emergencies in connection with which the services of firefighters would be required and (2) general ambulance service subject, however, to the provisions of section two hundred nine-b of the general municipal law. In the event that the fire department or fire company furnishing fire protection within the district pursuant to contract does not maintain and operate an ambulance then a separate contract may be made for the furnishing within the district of emergency ambulance service or general ambulance service, or both, with any city, village or fire district the fire department of which, or with an incorporated fire company having its headquarters outside the district which, maintains and operates an ambulance subject, however, in the case of general ambulance service, to the provisions of section two hundred nine-b of the general municipal law, or with an ambulance service, certified or registered pursuant to article thirty of the public health law[, which is not organized under the provisions of section two hundred nine-b of the general municipal law]. Any such contract with any such ambulance service permitted herein shall be subject to the provisions of this section.
§ 4. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
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