County Reaches Agreement with Volunteer Firefighters on Ambulance Fees

County Executive Leggett and representatives from the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association announced this week that they had come to an agreement to improve the relationship between the County and volunteers. The agreement will boost communication, promote further cooperation and enhance the volunteer contribution to the County’s combined volunteer and career emergency fire and rescue service. Also, MCVFRA agreed to not pursue a referendum on the County's Emergency Medical Transportation Insurance Reimbursement Act.

Full text of the release is copied below:

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett and the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association are pleased to announce that an agreement between the County and the Volunteer Association has been reached that will improve fire and rescue services for residents and visitors in Montgomery County. The agreement will boost communication, promote further cooperation and enhance the volunteer contribution to the County’s combined volunteer and career emergency fire and rescue service.

The County’s Emergency Medical Transportation Insurance Reimbursement Act, which will take effect January 1, 2013, will raise an additional $18 million a year that will be dedicated to additional staffing, apparatus, facilities and equipment – all at no cost to County residents. The money will come from insurance company reimbursements for medical transport. No County resident will ever receive a bill, pay a co-pay or deductible. Non-County residents will receive a bill that can be submitted to their insurers for reimbursement. Those without insurance will be able to file for a waiver of the fees.

“Although we are concerned that non-County residents will receive a bill for emergency transport, we do not support a referendum on the Emergency Medical Transportation Insurance Reimbursement Act,” said Montgomery County Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association President Marcine Goodloe. “The fire and rescue service enhancements that will result from this agreement are too critical to jeopardize. The Act will result in significant improvements to emergency services and the safety of County residents.

“County residents, the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service and career and volunteer personnel will benefit from enhanced fire and rescue service with the implementation of Emergency Medical Transportation Insurance Reimbursement Act,” said Goodloe. This agreement fosters a relationship of trust and support and recognizes the valued contributions by our volunteer fire, rescue and emergency medical services personnel.”

“The State of Maryland has decided to shift to Montgomery County what could very well be more than $400 million over 10 years in state teacher pension costs,” said County Executive Isiah Leggett. The State has also approved a new ‘Maintenance of Effort’ law on school funding that could force us to add millions more to our reserves each year above and beyond what we already do. These are changed circumstances of monumental significance. The additional revenue the County will receive from insurance reimbursements is vital. It will enable us to enhance fire and rescue services to keep pace with population growth, without cutting other essential County services.

“I appreciate the work and efforts by our County officials and representatives from the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association,” said Leggett. “In particular I want to acknowledge Montgomery County Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association President Marcine Goodloe, Executive Director Eric Bernard and Counsel John Bentivolio for their leadership and efforts in forging this agreement.”

Vote on November 2

Remember to vote in the General Election on November 2.

In addition to national, state and local races, there will be a question on the Emergency Medical Transport Fee (ambulance fee). I voted in favor of Question A because I'm confident there will be no adverse effects of the fee. No County resident will ever get a bill for ambulance transport, co-pays or deductibles. Insurance companies, Medicare and Medicaid will pay the fee for covered patients, and those without insurance will get a waiver. With so much at stake in the County budget, we can't afford to leave insurance money on the table.

The question will appear on the ballot as follows:

"Shall the Act to require the collection of an emergency medical services transport (ambulance) fee from: (1) County residents to the extent of the resident's insurance coverage; and (2) non-County residents subject to a hardship waiver become law?"

If you are in favor of establishing the ambulance fee, you should for "for." If you are opposed to establishing an ambulance fee, you should vote "against."

$14 Million in Proposed Cuts if Ambulance Fee is Rejected

The County Executive has sent us his proposed $14.1 million in operating budget reductions for the current fiscal year. These cuts would be needed to offset the amount of estimated revenue that would not be generated if the Emergency Medical Services Transport fee (ambulance fee) is rejected by voters through the Nov. 2 referendum. We included the estimated revenue from the fee in the budget we adopted in May.

Given our already tight budget, any further cuts will echo across the County. Our obligation is to maintain a balanced budget. If residents vote against the ambulance fee, they will be voting for $14 million in cuts to services. We will await the results of the referendum and take action on the proposed cuts before December if the fee is defeated.

The question will appear on the ballot as follows:

“Shall the Act to require the collection of an emergency medical services transport (ambulance) fee from: (1) County residents to the extent of the resident’s insurance coverage; and (2) non-County residents subject to a hardship waiver become law?”

A voter in favor of establishing the ambulance fee should for “for”; a voter opposed to establishing an ambulance fee should vote “against.”