109010 0
1 RESOLUTION NO. 10 � 9
2
3 A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR THE DELIVERY OF
4 HIGH - QUALITY LOCAL AMBULANCE SERVICE FOR ALL
5 CITIZENS OF THE STATE; AND IN OPPOSITION TO THE
6 FEDERAL HEALTH CARE FINANCE ADMINISTRATION'S
7 JANUARY 1, 2001 PROPOSED MEDICARE FEE SCHEDULE
8 CHANGE WHICH WOULD REQUIRE MANY AMBULANCE
9 COMPANIES TO BE PAID LESS THAN THE ACTUAL COST
10 OF SERVICES; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
11
12 WHEREAS, local ambulance services provide Arkansas citizens with vitally necessary emergency
13 and non - emergency transportation; and
14 WHEREAS, many of these local ambulance services do not rely on tax support, but on revenues
15 from the provision of emergency and non - emergency services; and
16 WHEREAS, on September 13, 2000, the Federal Health Care Finance Administration ( "HCFA ")
17 announced a proposed lower fee schedule which is below cost for many providers of ambulance service;
18 and
19 WHEREAS, this proposed fee schedule will go into effect January 1, 2001; and
20 WHEREAS, while this decision by HCFA is in response to Congress' Balanced Budget Act of
21 1997 and a congressional decision to cut health care costs, it is being made in an irresponsible manner
22 which is harmful to the public health and safety of Arkansas citizens.
23 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY
24 OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS:
25 SECTION 1. The Board of Directors supports local ambulance companies both in Little Rock
26 and statewide and recognizes their efforts in saving lives and improving the public health and safety of
27 the citizens of the state. HCFA's proposed fee schedule change will have a negative impact on the
28 public health of the citizens of Arkansas because it will drive some ambulance companies out of business.
29 The Board asks Congress, the Executive Branch, and HCFA to immediately reconsider the
30 implementation of this proposed fee schedule change, to explore other options, including, but not limited
31 to, adding more money to the proposed fee schedule, adopting an alternative formula, or delaying
32 implementation, as the effect of this regulation will lead to the loss of emergency ambulance
33 transportation statewide.
34 SECTION 2. The City Manager is directed to forward copies of this resolution to President Bill
35 Clinton, the members of the Arkansas Congressional Delegation, and to the Arkansas Municipal League.
36
0
1 ADOPTED: September 26, 2000
2
3 ATTEST:
4
5
6 NA CY "' D
7 CITY CLERK
8
9 APPROVED AS TO FORM:
10
12 THOMAS M. CARPENTE
13 CITY ATTORNEY
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
0
APPROVED:
c
JI AILEY
MAYOR