HCFA ALERT

    Updates
  1. Added links in the siderail to HCFA Meeting minutes on 2/2/2000.
  2. added link in the siderail to IAFF initial comments letter on 2/6/2000
  3. added link in the siderail to IAFF summary of the latest HCFA meeting, including rates for services on 2/6/2000
  4. added the 2/14/00 committee statement and agreement to the HCFA Meeting Minutes page on 2/27/2000
  5. added new links in the siderail and additional to do items below on 2/28/00. Please read and implement phase 2 items.
  6. added new links in the siderail and additional to do items below on 4/5/00. Please read and implement phase 3 items. There is important update information below.
  7. added 4 new links in the siderail and additional to do items below on 6/21/00. Please read the June update information below.
  8. added link to June Campaign in the siderail which also contains 6 new downloads on 6/29/00.
  9. added link to October Campaign in the siderail which also contains 4 new downloads on 10/25/00. Your immediate action is required
  10. added link for information on the delay of the Fee Schedule in the siderail. The info contains 3 new downloads on 12/2/00.
Click on "Fee Schedule Delayed" in the siderail for the latest details.
The "Balanced Budget Act of 1997" charged federal agencies with reducing their expenditures. In keeping with that law, the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) has begun development of a new "Medicare/Ambulance Fee Schedule" which will substantially reduce reimbursement to advanced life support (ALS) services nationwide.

This is the most significant event to impact pre hospital care

in New Jersey in 30 years.

There is the very real potential for dramatic destabilization of our current system. Conflicts are likely between ALS, BLS, and proprietary services. Hospitals may no longer be able to afford to provide paramedics. Our citizens will likely suffer increased morbidity and mortality. The NJ Department of Health Office of Emergency Services has declared that will wait and "monitor" the rulemaking sessions. A coalition consisting of several groups in the State including the NJSFAC, the MTA, the MICU program administrators, ACEP, and others has been formed to address this issue.

What you can do.

  • Bookmark this page and return frequently
  • Download the letters in the siderail and send them to your town and state legislators
  • Use the legislative links to find your legislator
  • Download and read the letter distributed at the League of Municipalities for background info. The link is in the siderail. NEW
  • Read the latest issue of the Gold Cross for background info
  • Read the update posted on this site
  • Pass this information on to others
  • Coordinate your efforts through the coalition

Phase 2 Actions

  • Download the sample resolution and get your town council to pass it and forward it to your State and Federal legislators
  • Download the sample press release and send it to your local paper. If there are follow up questions, refer the reporter to Julie Aberger, hcfa@njsfac.org, or a legislative committee member.
  • Download the sample letter to Commissioner Grant and send it to her. Get your squad and town council to send one too.
  • Download the talking points and use them to discuss the problem with your town council, senior groups, or the local paper.
  • If you, a family member, or another squad member has a working relationship with any State or Federal legislator or a reporter, download the contact list, complete it and e-mail it to hcfa@njsfac.org

Phase 3 Actions and Progress Update

Congressman Frelinghuysen has been a strong supporter of our coalition. He wrote a letter to all of our Federal Officials asking them to sign a letter of concern and forward it to HCFA. We have achieved 100% support from the NJ Delegation. Furthermore Congressman Menendez has promised to arrange a meeting directly with HCFA for the coalition. We are now changing the focus of our letter writing campaign. Remember that all letters are drafts and can be modified as your group sees fit.
  • Send a letter of thanks to your Federal Legislator for their support
  • Download the new sample press release and send it to your local paper. If there are follow up questions, refer the reporter to either Julie Aberger, hcfa@njsfac.org, or a legislative committee member.
  • Download the sample letter to a nursing home, senior group, or assisted living complex and send it to all in your town. Use the talking points if you are asked for more information. We would like to get these groups, who are most at risk to support us and write letters to HCFA.
  • Download the letter to HCFA and send it to them.
  • Continue to send letters to state officials.
  • If you, a family member, or another squad member has a working relationship with any State or Federal legislator or a reporter, download the contact list, complete it and e-mail it to hcfa@njsfac.org

June Progress Update


There has been significant support received from our legislators both in Trenton and in Washington. In an unprecedented action the entire New Jersey delegation has signed not one, but two letters to Commissioner Nancy-Ann Min DeParle, the Administrator of HCFA. Our actions seem to be having a positive effect, the release of the proposed regulations have been delayed. Please continue to contact citizen groups, especially seniors and ask them to send the sample HCFA letter to Commissioner Nancy-Ann Min DeParle. If you see one of our Federal Legislators, please thank them for their support. More information will be added by June 30.
This page was last updated on December 2, 2000