Braun Industries is proud to be the Principal Sponsor for EMS on the Hill Day 2015. This year, the event will be held April 29, 2015 with a briefing on April 28, 2015. The event is hosted by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT). It is a great opportunity for EMS professionals from around the country to come together and help educate members of Congress about the unique challenges they face and provide recommendations on improving our first response system.

The registration deadline is April 10, 2015: Register Now >>

EMS on the Hill Day attendees will be able to represent their state and the EMS profession in Washington D.C. as they help to advocate for key legislation. NAEMT is currently in the process of re-introducing the Field EMS Quality, Innovation and Cost Effectiveness Improvement Act. Known as the “Field EMS Bill” for short, this piece of legislation is the highest priority at NAEMT. Originally introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2011, the bill mainly seeks to address the absence of a federal funding stream for Field EMS.

The lack of state and federal funding for EMS is one of the key challenges faced in delivering quality care to patients. As such, this bill outlines several ways to address that without adding to the federal deficit.

The Field EMS Bill will:

• Recognize the Department of Health & Human Services as a primary federal agency for EMS and trauma care;
• Enhance and focus federal support toward quality, innovation and cost-effectiveness;
• Improve quality and accountability by promoting physician-led guidelines for medical oversight and direction and evaluating medical liability and reimbursement issues;
• Test innovative delivery models, including alternative dispositions of patients not requiring transport to a hospital;
• Enhance research in Field EMS;
• Establish an Emergency Medical services Trust Fund to be funded by voluntary contributions made by taxpayers.

On April 28, 2015, those attending EMS on the Hill Day will partake in a briefing to help them prepare for their time on Capitol Hill. They will be given an appointment schedule and issue discussion points. Common concerns are lack of direct funding, certification/licensure issues, education/training, and pay. After the briefing, there will be a networking reception. The Mobile Integrated Healthcare Summit is also going on in DC on the 28^th. EMS on the Hill Day will be the next day.

Braun Industries is pleased to continue to support this wonderful event. As with years past, Vice President of Sales and Marketing Chad Brown will be attending. “We encourage EMS professionals and other companies in the EMS Industry to join NAEMT as they seek to change Field EMS for the better. We must all work together to make a difference! We are so proud to be able to support NAEMT in this endeavor and look forward to working together for the greater good,” says Chad. Eric Wilcox, Braun Regional Sales Manager, will also be attending.

If you cannot attend EMS Hill Day in person, please consider contacting your congressional leaders by phone, email, or traditional mail!  Hotel and transportation information can be found on NAEMT’s website, along with other details. You can also stay on top of the latest news by following #EMSontheHill on Twitter or Facebook.