In Rural Colorado, Ambulance Services are Stretched Thin - A Pandemic Adds More Challenges

Sep 8, 2021 - Reports on the challenges facing rural ambulance services that serve large sections of Eastern Colorado and the increase of COVID-19 patient calls. Discusses limited resources for both ambulance services and rural emergency departments, requiring transportation several hours to urban hospitals.

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SAMHSA Awards $5.6 Million for Emergency Medical Services Training in America's Rural Communities

Aug 30, 2021 - Announces $5.6 million in funding to support rural emergency medical services (EMS) training, focusing on mental health and substance use disorder emergencies. Supported equipment and training include opioid overdose antidotes, training to administer antidotes, and EMS equipment.

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CMS: Medicare Program; National Expansion Implementation for All Remaining States and Territories of the Prior Authorization Model for Repetitive, Scheduled Non-Emergent Ambulance Transports Federal Register

Aug 27, 2021 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announcing the implementation dates for all remaining states and territories for the national expansion of the Prior Authorization Model for Repetitive, Scheduled Non-Emergent Ambulance Transports. This model tests whether prior authorization for repetitive, scheduled non-emergent ambulance transports helps reduce expenditures while maintaining or improving access to and quality of care.

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NTIA: First Responder Network Authority; Public Combined Board and Board Committees Meeting Federal Register

Aug 9, 2021 - Notice from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) announcing a public meeting of the FirstNet Authority Board and Board Committees on August 18, 2021, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Eastern. Agenda items are being finalized and will be published on the FirstNet Authority website.

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'Rural EMS is in Trouble': Volunteer Ambulance Services Face Staffing Shortages

Jul 30, 2021 - Describes workforce issues affecting rural EMS services in Oklahoma and rural America in general. Discusses factors that make staffing difficult, including pay, funding, training, and population decline.

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