Presently, Medicare pays paramedics on average $525.00 per call for Advanced Life Support services (ALS) --such as emergency care for heart attacks.  Last year, federal Medicare administrators proposed cutting the reimbursement to an average $172.00 per call, effective January 1, 2001.  This cut would have forced many hospitals in South Jersey to cut back on ALS services.  This would mean that paramedics who presently assist local volunteers and commercial ambulance services would no longer be available in life-threatening medical emergencies. 

Currently, New Jersey paid and volunteer squads work in conjunction with the ALS units to administer care to patients suffering life-threatening injuries and illnesses.  Typically, these squads arrive on scene to administer basic life support and transport the patient to an emergency room.  In critical situations, the squad is aided by an ALS paramedic who then rides with the squad to administer advanced care to the victim.  Without ALS paramedics, seriously ill or injured patients would not receive the appropriate life-saving ALS treatment during the crucial time period en route to the hospital. 

The entire New Jersey Congressional Delegation opposed these cuts. As a result of this action, the cuts have been postponed indefinitely.  It is now our goal to eliminate the cuts permanently.

New Jersey has one of the best emergency medical systems in the Nation.  There is no reason to drastically change a system that works as well as ours does.  I thank the New Jersey Emergency Medical Services Coalition for their diligent work and will continue this fight in Washington to ensure that New Jersey's emergency medical care is not jeopardized.