The agenda centers around Medical Assistance, Sustainable Funding, Recruitment, Retention and Workforce Development, Statewide Fee Schedule, Community Health Plans and Insurance Reimbursement.

We look forward to engaging the legislators and the EMS Community this session.

Legislative priorities.pdf

Are you or someone you know looking for EMS certification classes?

You can find EMS certification classes via the online search:  here.

You can also find important EMS Resources on the DOH/BEMS resource page:  here.

As many of you know, the President and Governor Wolf have stated raising the minimum wage to $15/hr is a priority.

At the federal level, the increase was originally included in the stimulus package but due to a parliamentary procedure, the minimum wage increase has to be removed.  However, the democrats and others have indicated that this is an item they will move forward in the future.

At the state level, Governor Wolf has indicated this item in on his legislator priorities in the current state budget negotiations.

The Professional/Agency Relations Committee has developed the attached Impact Statement for members use in a communication campaign to federal/state legislators AND the media.  This campaign will focus on this unified message that will be sent on the same day across the state to gain the attention of all our legislators and media outlets.

The dates for this campaign are Wednesday, March 24^thto Wednesday, March 31^st with a weekly reminder to your legislator to consider increasing the reimbursements for EMS PRIOR to increasing the minimum wage.

Starting March 24, 2021 we are asking you to send the impact statement to your state and federal legislators as well as your local media outlets.  In addition, we are sharing with other states/organizations to encourage their participation in this campaign:  a ground swell at the state and national level to gain attention!

The statement is included in a word document so that you can easily add your contact information prior to sending.

Impact Statement on Raising the Minimum Wage.pdf

Impact Statement on Raising the Minimum Wage plain.docx

Some articles of interest/reference:

1. https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/25/business/costco-minimum-wage-workers/index.html
2. https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/stimulus-coronavirus-minimum-wage-20210226.html

Please share this information with all of your colleagues.

The AAP would like to thank the Professional/Agency Relations Committee - Impact Statement Task Force Members for developing this statement: 

Stephanie Hosack-Shearer and Doug Johnson, Albion Volunteer Fire Department; Tim Hinchcliff, Burholme EMS; Derrick Hall, Greater Valley EMS; Phil Salamone, Lower Alsace EMS; Evan Resnikoff, Newtown Ambulance