Senator Michelle Hinchey announced that two of her bills to improve emergency care and support EMS providers statewide have been signed into law, including legislation creating three new reimbursement sources for EMS (S8486C) and expanding the ability of motor vehicle ambulance services to administer life-saving blood transfusions (S6226A).
Previously, EMS was only reimbursed for transporting patients to hospital ERs. Senator Hinchey’s bill, S8486C, expands this to include reimbursement for on-scene treatment, transport to approved healthcare facilities like urgent care and mental health clinics, and telemedicine consultations. This change, effective October 1, 2024, comes on the heels of a rally led by Hinchey, EMS, and Fire leaders urging for the signing of this bill. A second Hinchey bill, S6226A, allows ambulances to carry and transfuse blood during all emergency transports, not just between hospitals.