FW: Assemblyman Byrne Press Conference Tomorrow on Bill to Recover EMS Costs and Aid Fire Departments
me...@bestweb.net
If anyone is available to show up for this event, it will be good to show support for our volunteer fire departments.
Mike
From: Matthew Covucci <covu...@nyassembly.gov>
Sent: Thursday, June 3, 2021 8:56 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: Assemblyman Byrne Press Conference Tomorrow on Bill to Recover EMS Costs and Aid Fire Departments
Hello All,
This is Assemblyman Kevin Byrne’s chief of staff, Matt Covucci. I know Assemblyman Byrne reached out to many of you today concerning a press conference we will be holding tomorrow advocating for the Assembly to bring A.534 to the floor for a vote. The bill would permit volunteer fire departments that provide ambulance services to recover costs from insurance companies. The Senate version of the bill (S1286) passed the Senate in March of this year. A.534 passed the Assembly Local Governments unanimously on May 25th and has now been reported to the Way and Means Committee. The timeline to get this proposal passed this year is rapidly shrinking as the last day scheduled of Legislative Session in Albany is June 10th.
All are inviting to attend.
Below are details on where and when and at the bottom is our media advisory with additional detail.
WHEN: Friday, June 4th 2021
1:30 P.M.
WHERE: Brewster Volunteer Fire Department
501 N Main St
Brewster, NY 10509
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Matt Covucci, (845) 702-5638 cov...@nyassembly.gov
***Media & Public Advisory***
For
June 4, 2021
Byrne & Vol. Firefighters Call for Vote on Bill to Recover EMS Costs and Aid Fire Departments
Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,I,SAM,ROS-Mahopac) will be holding a press conference with the volunteer emergency services community and various other elected officials to express support for Assembly Bill A.534 which would permit volunteer fire departments that provide ambulance services to recover costs from insurance companies as volunteer ambulance services do presently.
The legislation passed the Senate earlier this year in March (S.1286) for the second time. On May 25, 2021 the Assembly Committee on Local Governments reported it out of committee unanimously for the first time ever. It now resides in the Assembly Ways and Means Committee, of which Assemblyman Byrne is a member, and awaits further action.
Assemblyman Byrne seeks to promote the importance of this needed legislation and call on his colleagues to permit a vote in committee and on the floor to pass this long overdue proposal.
Presently, volunteer fire departments in New York State that provide ambulance services, unlike volunteer ambulance corps, are prohibited from charging a fee for such service. Unable to charge insurance or provide what is commonly referred to as “soft billing”, fire districts and fire protection districts are often forced to rely more on property taxes to pay for needed equipment, training and services. The potential revenue from this legislation could help supplement existing revenue to purchase new needed equipment and resources and/or provide additional tax relief to local property taxpayers.
A 2017 study in New York reveals that 297,000 ambulance calls were handled by fire department operated ambulances, and it has been estimated that the legislation would generate an additional $100 million in revenue for fire departments providing ambulance services.
The 94th Assembly District includes numerous volunteer fire and ambulance agencies, of which the Somers FD, Brewster FD, Mahopac FD, and Mahopac Falls FD also provide ambulance services and would directly benefit from this legislation.
The Senate version of the bill (S1286) passed the Senate in March of this year. A.534 passed the Assembly Local Governments unanimously on May 25th and has now been reported to the Way and Means Committee. The timeline to get this proposal passed this year is rapidly shrinking as the last day scheduled of Legislative Session in Albany is June 10th.
WHO: Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,I,SAM,ROS-Mahopac)
94th Assembly District Fire and EMS Advisory Committee
Members of the Volunteer Fire and EMS Services from Westchester and Putnam Counties
Various other local elected officials
WHAT: Calling for A.534 to be brought for a vote in the Assembly Ways and Means Committee and on the floor
WHEN: Friday, June 4th 2021
1:30 P.M.
WHERE: Brewster Volunteer Fire Department
501 N Main St
Brewster, NY 10509
**All media welcome and encouraged to attend. Excellent photo opportunities. **
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