Category: TASA News

TASA supports the recently introduced HB 923/SB 484.

This bill requires health insurance coverage to include reimbursement of providers for telemedicine services; requires department of correction to study cost related to telemedicine. – Amends TCA Title 56; Title 63 and Title 71.

According to sources close to this issue, transmission of 12-leads by EMS are expected to be a covered reimbursement should this bill pass as introduced.

 

Tennessee Ambulance Service Association

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

January 3, 2013

President Ward called the meeting to order at 10:10 a.m.

The Dec. 5, 2012 TASA Board Minutes were read to the group assembled by Rick Valentine

Motion was made by Joyce Noles to approve the Dec. 5th minutes as written, with one correction; (the amount on the cost of the posters should read $3,500 rather than $3,250).   A second was given by Rick Valentine.  Motion passed.

Roll call by VP Chad Graham: Board Members Present:  Brandon Ward-President, Chad Graham-Vice-President, Larry Billingsley-Treasurer, Andrew Reed-ETG, John Fitzsimmons-MTG, Joyce Noles-WTR, Rick Valentine-Region II, Rick Slack-Region 4, John Combes-Southeast Region

Board Members Absent: Chuck Latimer-Secretary, Dennis Rowe-Immediate Past President,   Derek Merritt-WTG, Terry Arnold-UER, Scott Storey-SCR, Lis Henley-MTR

Others Present: Doug McQuary-First Call/Vanderbilt Lifeflight, Mike Shankle-Henry County, Liz Reeves-Vanderbilt LifeFlight, Joseph Rike-Memphis Fire Dept., Ted Cox Co-Bedford County EMS, James Lynn Thompson-TEMSEA, David L. Kelley, TN Federation of Fire Chaplains, Don Hutcheson-Grundy EMS, Savannah Burrows-Grundy EMS, Whitney Miller-AirEVAC EMS, Shaun Hale-AirEVAC EMS, Keith Douglas-Sumner County EMS

Chad Graham, VP gave an update on the new poster, discussing the design and cost.

Treasurers Report: Larry Billingsley presented a written report including beginning balance, on December 1, 2012 of $53,395.82. No deposits during the month. The expenses totaling $17,312.29  leaving balance of $36,083.53 as of December 31, 2012.

Motion by Ricky Slack to accept the financial report as presented, with a second by Joyce Noles. Motion passed.

Brandon informed the group that Donna Tidwell, TN ST EMS Director was unable to attend the meeting today. There will be no ST EMS update.

Brandon gave an update on the ST Ambulance Sub-Committee.  Brandon is the Chairman of this committee.  He talked briefly about ambulance services running/responding to calls in communities or counties where the service has no base station.

John Fitzsimmons gave an update from NAEMT.  He gave out a hand-out which included a report on the NAEMT Foundation and News on legislative action from Washington DC.

Keith Douglas gave an update on the web-site.  He explained that he has made up-grades to the web-site.  Keith reported that here are 219 individuals signed up to receive the TASA Up-Dates automatically.

Doug McQuary gave an update on the Mid-Winter Conference and reviewed the new brochure designed to promote the Conference, which Whitney Miller created.  With a few additions Whitney will have it ready and she will send it to Keith for him to place on the web-site.

Beth Winsett, TASA lobbyist, was present for the meeting.  She introduced Anna Richardson, a lawyer and a new addition to their firm.  Beth gave many ideas and suggestions as to how we should proceed as we attempt to gain “essential service status” for ambulance service state wide.  Beth gave a very detailed explanation as to the structure and make-up of the 108 general assembly.  She explained how there has been big changes in the representation in our state government.  Beth explained to obtain our desire goal we must do a good job in educating our local officials as well as our state representatives.

Beth asked if we were planning an “EMS Day on the Hill” again this year.  After some discussion it was decided that we would try to do this on February 5, 2013.  Beth will work on this and let Brandon know if she is able to get this date.  Beth stressed that it is important to have each county represented for this years “EMS Day on the Hill”. She noted that last year we did not have very many in our delegation.  Beth recommended that we have a one page handout to leave with the representatives.  She also said that she can and will make the appointments with the leadership and we should make our own appointment with our local representative.

Motion was made by John Combes to register Beth Winsett as well as her colleges in the firm with the State for our Lobbyists.  Joyce Noles seconded the motion. The motion passed.

Old Business: Chad Graham discussed registering the TASA Logo. He also pointed out that Nomination need to be requested by the secretary. This is required to be done not more than 45 days before the annual meeting and not less than 15 days before the annual meeting.

The Washington DC trip, to attend the annual EMS Day on the Hill, was discussed at length. Brandon informed the group that 5 rooms were being held, on Chad’s credit card, for March 5th and 6th.  He said that we need to decide how many we would be able to send.

Motion was made by Andrew Reed to send 6 including 5 officers plus our NAEMT representative, John Fitzsimmons.  Motion failed due to lack of a second.

Ricky Slack made a motion, due to cost, that we not send anyone. Andrew Reed seconded the motion.  A roll call vote resulted in 1 voting YES and 8 voting NO. Motion Failed.

Rick Valentine made a motion that TASA send 4 individuals to the national “EMS Day on the Hill”  not to exceed $1,000 cost for each person.  Andrew Reed seconded the motion. With a roll call vote the results were; 7 voting YES and 2 voting NO.  Motion passed.

New Business: Discussion as to how many rooms were paid by TASA for the Mid-Winter Conference.  It was explained that the TASA Officers, the Conference Committee members, the Awards Committee members, the award winners, the speakers, Twila Rose and Rick Valentine rooms were covered by TASA.

Discussion on how many members had paid this year.  Mike Shankle reported that between 125 – 130 have paid as compared to 149 this time last year.  It was discussed that the board would like to have monthly financial activities, revenue and expenses.

Next meeting of the TASA Board will be February 21, 2013.

Will meet in Nashville on February 4, 2013 to prepare for “EMS Day on the Hill” on the 5th. Liz Reeves volunteered to find a place for us to meet at 6:00 p.m. on the 4th.

Motion was made by Andrew Reed to adjourn.  The meeting adjourned at 12:23 p.m.

 

 

Tennessee Ambulance Service Association

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

January 3, 2013

President Ward called the meeting to order at 10:10 a.m.

The Dec. 5, 2012 TASA Board Minutes were read to the group assembled by Rick Valentine

Motion was made by Joyce Noles to approve the Dec. 5th minutes as written, with one correction; (the amount on the cost of the posters should read $3,500 rather than $3,250).   A second was given by Rick Valentine.  Motion passed.

Roll call by VP Chad Graham: Board Members Present:  Brandon Ward-President, Chad Graham-Vice-President, Larry Billingsley-Treasurer, Andrew Reed-ETG, John Fitzsimmons-MTG, Joyce Noles-WTR, Rick Valentine-Region II, Rick Slack-Region 4, John Combes-Southeast Region

Board Members Absent: Chuck Latimer-Secretary, Dennis Rowe-Immediate Past President,   Derek Merritt-WTG, Terry Arnold-UER, Scott Storey-SCR, Lis Henley-MTR

Others Present: Doug McQuary-First Call/Vanderbilt Lifeflight, Mike Shankle-Henry County, Liz Reeves-Vanderbilt LifeFlight, Joseph Rike-Memphis Fire Dept., Ted Cox Co-Bedford County EMS, James Lynn Thompson-TEMSEA, David L. Kelley, TN Federation of Fire Chaplains, Don Hutcheson-Grundy EMS, Savannah Burrows-Grundy EMS, Whitney Miller-AirEVAC EMS, Shaun Hale-AirEVAC EMS, Keith Douglas-Sumner County EMS

Chad Graham, VP gave an update on the new poster, discussing the design and cost.

Treasurers Report: Larry Billingsley presented a written report including beginning balance, on December 1, 2012 of $53,395.82. No deposits during the month. The expenses totaling $17,312.29  leaving balance of $36,083.53 as of December 31, 2012.

Motion by Ricky Slack to accept the financial report as presented, with a second by Joyce Noles. Motion passed.

Brandon informed the group that Donna Tidwell, TN ST EMS Director was unable to attend the meeting today. There will be no ST EMS update.

Brandon gave an update on the ST Ambulance Sub-Committee.  Brandon is the Chairman of this committee.  He talked briefly about ambulance services running/responding to calls in communities or counties where the service has no base station.

John Fitzsimmons gave an update from NAEMT.  He gave out a hand-out which included a report on the NAEMT Foundation and News on legislative action from Washington DC.

Keith Douglas gave an update on the web-site.  He explained that he has made up-grades to the web-site.  Keith reported that here are 219 individuals signed up to receive the TASA Up-Dates automatically.

Doug McQuary gave an update on the Mid-Winter Conference and reviewed the new brochure designed to promote the Conference, which Whitney Miller created.  With a few additions Whitney will have it ready and she will send it to Keith for him to place on the web-site.

Beth Winsett, TASA lobbyist, was present for the meeting.  She introduced Anna Richardson, a lawyer and a new addition to their firm.  Beth gave many ideas and suggestions as to how we should proceed as we attempt to gain “essential service status” for ambulance service state wide.  Beth gave a very detailed explanation as to the structure and make-up of the 108 general assembly.  She explained how there has been big changes in the representation in our state government.  Beth explained to obtain our desire goal we must do a good job in educating our local officials as well as our state representatives.

Beth asked if we were planning an “EMS Day on the Hill” again this year.  After some discussion it was decided that we would try to do this on February 5, 2013.  Beth will work on this and let Brandon know if she is able to get this date.  Beth stressed that it is important to have each county represented for this years “EMS Day on the Hill”. She noted that last year we did not have very many in our delegation.  Beth recommended that we have a one page handout to leave with the representatives.  She also said that she can and will make the appointments with the leadership and we should make our own appointment with our local representative.

Motion was made by John Combes to register Beth Winsett as well as her colleges in the firm with the State for our Lobbyists.  Joyce Noles seconded the motion. The motion passed.

Old Business: Chad Graham discussed registering the TASA Logo. He also pointed out that Nomination need to be requested by the secretary. This is required to be done not more than 45 days before the annual meeting and not less than 15 days before the annual meeting.

The Washington DC trip, to attend the annual EMS Day on the Hill, was discussed at length. Brandon informed the group that 5 rooms were being held, on Chad’s credit card, for March 5th and 6th.  He said that we need to decide how many we would be able to send.

Motion was made by Andrew Reed to send 6 including 5 officers plus our NAEMT representative, John Fitzsimmons.  Motion failed due to lack of a second.

Ricky Slack made a motion, due to cost, that we not send anyone. Andrew Reed seconded the motion.  A roll call vote resulted in 1 voting YES and 8 voting NO. Motion Failed.

Rick Valentine made a motion that TASA send 4 individuals to the national “EMS Day on the Hill”  not to exceed $1,000 cost for each person.  Andrew Reed seconded the motion. With a roll call vote the results were; 7 voting YES and 2 voting NO.  Motion passed.

New Business: Discussion as to how many rooms were paid by TASA for the Mid-Winter Conference.  It was explained that the TASA Officers, the Conference Committee members, the Awards Committee members, the award winners, the speakers, Twila Rose and Rick Valentine rooms were covered by TASA.

Discussion on how many members had paid this year.  Mike Shankle reported that between 125 – 130 have paid as compared to 149 this time last year.  It was discussed that the board would like to have monthly financial activities, revenue and expenses.

Next meeting of the TASA Board will be February 21, 2013.

Will meet in Nashville on February 4, 2013 to prepare for “EMS Day on the Hill” on the 5th. Liz Reeves volunteered to find a place for us to meet at 6:00 p.m. on the 4th.

Motion was made by Andrew Reed to adjourn.  The meeting adjourned at 12:23 p.m.

 

Current pending legislation related to EMS (3-1-2014)

House Bill HB1807 / Senate Bill SB2029 (as amended) – expands environment for EMS providers and clarifies non-emergency care. SIGNED BY GOVERNOR ON 4-16-2014 AND BECOMES EFFECTIVE 7-1-2014

03-12-2014 – SB2029 passes in Health & Welfare committee.

Up for vote in full Senate on 03-17-2014 at 4:00 pm CST (ROLLED)

Rolled to next full Senate vote on 3-20-2014 at 9:00 am CST

3-20-2014 Full Senate adjourned before hearing all bills

Up for vote in full Senate on 3-24-2014 = PASSED in Senate

4-7-2014 Sent to Governor for signature

4-16-2014 SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

03-11-2014 – HB1807 passes in Health sub-committee.

Up for vote in Health committee on 03-19-2014 at 1:30 pm CST

3-19-2014 passed Health Committee – forwarded to Rules Committee

3-20-2014 passed Rules Committee

Up for vote in full House on 3-27-2014 – PASSED in House

---

 

Lobbyist Report

The link below provides the most recent legislative report from McMahan/Winstead:

Legislative Report 4-18-14

Legislative Report 1-30-14

Legislative Report 1-24-14

Legislative Report 1-11-14

Legislative Report 2-28-13

Legislative Report 3-28-13

Legislative Report 7-31-13

Please send any comments/suggestions regarding any of these bills to president@tennesseeambulance.com

Tennessee Ambulance Service Association

Board Meeting Minutes

October 9th, 2012

Opryland Radisson

 

President Ward called the meeting to order at 13:30.

Board members present:  Brandon Ward – President, Chad Graham – Vice Present, Larry Billingsley – Treasurer, Chuck Latimer – Secretary, John Combes – Region 3, John Fitzsimmons – Middle TN Grand, Derek Merritt – West TN Grand, Andrew Reed – East TN Grand, Rick Valentine – Region 2, Lis Henley – Region 5, Joyce Noles – Region 7/8.  Mike Shankle, Doug McQuary, and Twila Rose – Conference Committee.

Minutes from TASA Board on September 6th were read.  Motion to approve by Merritt, seconded by Henley.

Treasurers Report:  Treasurer Billingsley reported that our balance was $60,141.29 before the Reimbursement conference has been paid.  Twila Rose reported that 115 members had paid there dues so far this year.

John Fitzsimmons gave the NAEMT report.  The NAEMT advocacy position was again discussed.  We are unsure if Tennessee actually has someone in this position.  It was discussed if the Past State President could fill this advocacy position in future years.  This was not put in the form of a motion.  There were several items discussed in the NAEMT Report:

a. NAEMT membership elections are being held from October 15-28, 2012.

b. The annual NAEMT meetings are being held from October 29-31, 2012.

c. The Veterans Emergency Medical Technician Support Act (HR 4124) has passed in the House.

d. NAEMT 2012 Award Winners were announced.  (Kenneth Davenport, Paramedic, Marion KY and Dean Darling, EMT, Sank City WI)

e. NAEMT partners with Jones and Bartlett for PHTLS and AMLS.

f. EMS Day on the Hill will be March 5-6, 2013.

g. NAEMT has adopted a new position statement on “Just Culture” in EMS, which is a value supportive system of shared accountability where health care organizations are accountable for the system.

h. Congratulations to the NAEMT scholarship winners.

Legislative Committee:  Some services are still having TennCare payments recouped.  We are checking into contacting the Bureau concerning this.

Mid-Winter Conference Committee:  All speakers have been set, with the exception of the keynote.  It was discussed of having a concurrent session at that conference on developing supervisors.

New Business:  It was discussed that the insurance premiums at conferences have greatly increased as well as transporting and storing all hospitality supplies.  John Fitzsimmons made a motion that TASA reimburse Doug McQuary for these expenses.  His motion was to reimburse Doug for transport and storage for $1500.  The motion was seconded by Graham, and all voted in favor.

Reimbursement Conference:  It was reported by Mike Shankle that there were only 99 attendees this year because many services are outsourcing their billing.  It was discussed in detail what we can add to offset the falling attendance.  One major thing discussed was the certified ambulance coding class, which would be three full days and cost around $1000.

Awards Committee:  John Fitzsimmons noted that he has pinned down 6 of the 7 sponsors for the awards.  He is also putting together a list of all TASA Presidents that have served in that position since its’ inception.

Other Business:  All members wanted to think Whitney Miller for picking up our conference supplies which had been delivered to Gatlinburg instead of Nashville.

The meeting was adjourned at 14:50.

Tennessee Ambulance Service Association

Board Meeting Minutes

December 5, 2012

Present: Brandon Ward – President, Chad Graham – Vice President, Chuck Latimer – Secretary, Andrew Reed – ETG, John Fitzsimmons – MTG, Derek Merritt – WTG, Rick Valentine R2, John Combes – R3, Lis Henley – R5, Ricky Slack – R4, Joyce Noles – R7/8, Roy Griggs, Phil Sanderson, Whitney Miller, Chad McNeill, Doug McQuary, and Joseph Rike.

The meeting was called to order by President Ward at 14:04, and was held in Nashville TN at the State EMS Office – 227 French Landing.

Minutes were read from the October 9th, 2012 meeting. A motion was made to approve by Ricky Slack, and was seconded by Rick Valentine. All voted in favor.
Treasurer’s Report: Was made by President Ward in Larry Billingsley’s absence. Our current balance was $40,837.08. It was discussed that McMahon – Winstead needs to be paid. Discussion was held on how much money TASA has received in dues, but no one could answer. A motion was made to approve by Merritt and seconded by Henley; all voted in favor.

NAEMT Report: John Fitzsimmons reported that the NAEMT had asked members to go on Capwiz and send the form letter to Congress asking them to extend the Medicare Relief Act. The form letter is available on the NAEMT website. John also addressed the NAEMT Advocacy position with their organization. It is open at this time. A motion was made by Chad Graham that TASA send an official letter to the NAEMT stating that TASA recommends that our Past State President serve in this position. The motion was seconded by Merritt, and all voted in favor.

The Washington DC trip was again discussed in detail and how to greatly lower cost. Alternative travel and doubling up of hotel rooms were the two offered suggestions.

COPEC/EMS-C has asked TASA for a representative from our board to serve on their committee. Lis Henley from Region 5 volunteered.

Mid Winter Conference Committee: Doug McQuary reported on the progress and recommended that we book speakers a year in advance. Greg Miller from the Gatlinburg Fire Department is having a sidetrack session with a maximum of 20 attendees. A motion was made by John Combes that TASA allow 2 from each region and 4 at large, as this is a pilot session. The session is an opportunity for EMS supervisors to transition into Director Roles, and for staff employees to transition to supervisor roles. The motion was seconded by Lis Henley, and all voted in favor.

Ballots need to be mailed out 15-45 days before the annual meeting. Vice President (East Grand), Secretary, Treasurer, and Middle TN Grand are coming open in 2013.

Legislative Report: President Ward advised that there would be another 2% TennCare payment reduction.

State EMS Report: Donna Tidwell advised that the EMS Board had given the go ahead to study community paramedicine. They looked at Minnesota specifically as they seem to be the leading state. Donna also discussed the mass casualty buses in each region. There will also be another MCI class in April of 2013. This will be offered first to strike teams – stay and meals will be paid.

New Business: Chad Graham reported that it would cost about $750 to trademark and protect the TASA logo. It was discussed that we can register it for about $100. A motion was made by Valentine and seconded by Combes that we register it and digitize. All voted in favor.

Chad Graham also presented a new TASA picture that we may be able to buy the copyright to. After much discussion, a motion was made that we purchase the black and white print of the picture for $600 by Reed and seconded by Henley. The vote was not clear so it was brought to a roll call. Reed, Valentine, Henley, Fitzsimmons, Ward, Graham and Noles voted yes; Merritt, Combes, Slack, and Latimer voted no. John Fitzsimmons made a motion for 500 of the prints to be ordered in ambulance blue for a cost of $3,250. The motion was not seconded by a board member.

There was also discussion of these prints and other giveaways at the conferences. There was a motion by Ricky Slack to limit the giveaways to what we have currently purchased and these prints, if we decide to order an ample amount of them. It was seconded by Merritt. Motion passed 8-3.

Meeting was adjourned at 16:10.

 

 

TASA Mid-Winter Conference

Mid-Winter Conference

TASA Member – Early Registration

February 20 – 22, 2013

TASA Mid-Winter Conference 2012 – Park Vista Hotel, Gatlinburg, TN (Hotel Reservations: (865) 436-9211 or (800) 421-PARK

Cost: $250.00 ea.

number of attendees

1 attendee $250.002 attendees $500.003 attendees $750.004 attendees $1000.005 attendees $1250.006 attendees $1500.007 attendees $1750.00

attendee name(s)