Our nation’s EMTs and paramedics are serving on the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic and are the first providers of medical care to thousands of patients daily. We respond to calls for help without regard to a patient’s ability to pay, their current medical condition, their current COVID-19 status, and often in emergency situations and uncontrolled and hazardous environments. Our medics put aside their concern for their personal safety, and that of their family’s, to care for the people in our communities.
Related: Complete COVID-19 Coverage from JEMS
The COVID-19 pandemic has added operational and financial stresses for private and public ambulance service providers across the country. EMS agencies have incurred staggering losses in revenue, while at the same time, facing equally staggering increases in expenses related to ensuring that our crews and their ambulance units are equipped with everything needed to keep themselves and the public safe, provide quality and responsive healthcare, and mitigate exposure to this disease.
Thankfully, President Donald J. Trump, Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex M. Azar II, and the entire U.S. Congress responded quickly and have provided much-needed support for the ambulance industry. Their actions serve to recognize the vital role EMS plays in our nation’s healthcare system and the importance of keeping these agencies financially able to continue to provide life saving care to the communities, to the people, they serve.
EMS agencies are known for rising to their best in times of strife and difficulty. We are grateful that Congress, through bipartisan efforts, has begun to provide the relief EMS desperately needs to stay in the fight. Furthermore, we are grateful that President Trump, Secretary Azar, the HHS staff and countless administration officials are providing the guidance and implementation of the relief funding efforts. Even though there may have been some flaws in the methodology, we understand that quick disbursement sometimes lacks exact precision and we look forward to continuing to work with the administration and the Congress to ensure appropriate and adequate funding for sustaining EMS.
Acadian Ambulance Service, Inc., on behalf of itself, its employee-owners and the EMS community, thanks our President, the Honorable Donald J. Trump, his administration and the entire Congressional body for their tireless bipartisan leadership, ingenuity, diligence and quick action in providing our nation’s Emergency Medical Service healthcare suppliers and providers with much-needed financial assistance.