Bush Budget Proposal Mixed News for EMS

President Bush's budget proposes the establishment of a new office within DHS to handle health and medical affairs.

The office, proposed to be led by Dr. Jeff Runge, would "...develop medical readiness, interagency planning and advocate for the medical first responder community..." according to Bush's spending plan. The office would also promote EMS issues to ensure that responders receive the funds necessary to prepare for and respond to catastrophic incidents.

Lisa Meyer of Cornerstone Government Affairs, (lobbyist group of "Advocates for EMS") supports the concept, especially if it gives EMS providers a strong voice when grants are doled out. She said Dr. Runge is familiar with the issues facing first responders.

The new office would not conflict with other EMS-related groups, including a new one, the National Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council (NEMSAC), being established to advise NHTSA. To date, nearly 200 stakeholders have applied to be members of NEMSAC, and the deadline is Friday, Feb. 16.

Meanwhile, despite the proposal and establishment of these new groups, another deadline for a nationwide EMS needs assessment has come and gone. The report, due Jan. 23, was ordered by a joint House and Senate committee last year. During that meeting, officials said they were concerned about the lack of money being given to the EMS community.

"We are eagerly anticipating the report," Meyer said, adding that she has no idea if the document actually exists. "It certainly would help us justify needs when we ask for grants." A similar Congressional study requested the year before also was never done.

Meyer said national EMS officials are also continuing their effort to establish an EMS Caucus on Capitol Hill. The group understands the importance of being united when it faces Congress asking for equal representation to other public safety groups.

Among the budget cuts proposed by Bush was the elimination of funding for EMS for Children programs and a 90 percent reduction in funds for Rural Health.

This is the second straight year that Bush's proposal has not included money for EMS for Children, now in its 21st year. Last year, however, Congress later approved $19.8 million for the effort that has resulted in a 40 percent decline in child injury death rate, said Majorie Tharp, assistant director of federal affairs for the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The need for this funding was also supported by the Institute of Medicine report released last year which stated, "Children represent a special challenge for emergency care providers because they have unique medical needs in comparison to adults. For decades, policy makers and providers have recognized the special needs of children, but the system has been slow to develop an adequate response to their needs. This is in part due to inadequacies within the broader emergency care system."

Tharp said the IOM recommended the federal government fund EMS-C at $37.5 million per year for the next five years. The report also showed that not all emergency departments are equipped to handle children's care properly.

"You cannot pick and choose the right hospital," she said, adding that personnel must have the proper training. Tharp said her agency will be taking that message to Congress.