Michigan EMS providers are applauding Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan legislators today after an additional $12.9 million was allocated for EMS services in the Fiscal Year 2022 budget, signed today by the governor.
After decades of underfunding, Michigan Association of Ambulance Services (MAAS) and Michigan Association of Fire Chiefs (MAFC) requested an investment in EMS for Medicaid reimbursements, which only covered 10-25% of emergency response costs. EMS providers hadn’t had a true increase in Medicaid reimbursement rates in more than 20 years.
“The pandemic and decades of underfunding pushed Michigan EMS agencies to the brink, and investment was long overdue,” said Jack Fisher, MAAS President and Executive Director of Medic 1 Ambulance in Berrien County. “This budget increase will allow us to increase pay for paramedics and EMTs and recruit much-needed new staff into the profession.”
State leaders invested $12.9 million in general fund dollars for reimbursement rates, which with a federal match will draw down a total of nearly $50 million for EMS.
“The state’s investment in EMS will relieve some of the financial burdens emergency providers are facing so that we can focus on serving our communities,” said MAFC President Jeff Roberts, Chief of the Wixom Fire Department. “We greatly appreciate the Governor and Legislature for recognizing the importance of investing in emergency services.”
Prior to this investment, EMS agencies hadn’t received a rate increase paid by the state since 2000, and payments have been reduced twice since then.
