Butler County is set to join a pilot program that hopes to learn more about ways to improve emergency medical services.
Butler County Commissioner Kevin Boozel is serving on a task force through the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, also known as CCAP. He said the program hopes to provide more information to other counties as they evaluate EMS agencies.
“We’re not here to point out what’s wrong, we’re not here to point out your deficit, or what your personal risks are, we’re really about what is going well for you and what is your challenge,” Boozel said.
One of the areas Boozel cited as financial concerns for EMS is how they are paid for their services.
“If EMS go to the scene of a car accident, and they provide bandages and treatment, they don’t get paid for any of that,” Boozel said that EMS crews have to transport a patient in order to get paid.
“So we’re looking at another model at the state that’s actually been implement where that care would be billable for that program.”
A total of five counties are participating in the program. Boozel also noted the pilot program isn’t about finding faults in the system, it’s about providing a tool box for counties in the state to help with issues they may have with EMS.
“The whole goal of this is that at the end of the day, we understand what is happening in every county. If there are no problem, then this is of no value to a particular county,” Boozel said. “But, after I fought to get the task force at CCAP, it became the number one priority. That’s what the county commissioners voted on.”
Boozel said he thinks this program will be an effective way for counties, municipalities, and EMS crews to communicate and learn more about the process.
