Welcome to the third issue of EMS on the Hill, a newsletter representing the work of a broad group of EMS organizations dedicated to achieving positive change and recognition for emergency medical services at the state and federal levels. In July 2007, this group of organizations met to review the recommendations of the 2006 IOM Crossroads report and develop priorities and action items to help make these recommendations reality. This newsletter will provide updates on those action items, plus discuss other critical industry issues.

BUDGET STRAIN
EMS leaders concerned about big cuts in President's FY09 plan

In February, President George W. Bush released his proposed federal budget for fiscal year 2009. It was not greeted warmly by emergency medical services leaders, who were presented with the prospect of slashed funding in a number of key programs, and the total elimination of several others.

In the Department of Homeland Security, three key programs face major funding reductions. Funding for Basic State Formula Grants is cut by $750 million, a whopping 79%. Assistance to Firefi ghters Grant money is reduced by $260 million, or 46%. Emergency Management Performance Grants are cut by a third, or $100 million. In addition, the Metropolitan Medical Response System is eliminated entirely.

"A recent report issued by the Department [of Homeland Security] shows that EMS providers continue to receive only 4% of the total fi rst responder grant funding," Advocates for EMS President Dr. Bruce Walz noted of the budget. "EMS is already receiving such a small piece of the pie, to cut fi rst responder grant programs would be even more harmful to EMS providers' ability to respond to a disaster."

In the Department of Health and Human Services, several popular programs are done away with entirely: the Emergency Medical Services for Children and Traumatic Brain Injury programs, and the Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant. The Trauma Systems Planning and Development Act, which provides grants to develop states' trauma response plans and was reauthorized in 2007, is not funded.

PREPAREDNESS FUNDING