STATEHOUSE (May 17, 2022) – State Rep. Hal Slager (R-Schererville) recently received the Indiana Emergency Medical Service Association's 2022 Legislator of the Year award for his work on a new law expanding Hoosiers' access to emergency medical services.
"We knew more needed to be done to ensure Hoosiers had access to emergency ambulance care," Slager said. "This change in state law was long overdue, and I'm glad we could deliver results this session. I'll continue to look for ways to improve access and affordability to quality health care."
Under the Medicaid program, emergency medical service's reimbursement rate had not increased since 1976. Slager said the rate was too low and was making it difficult to hire qualified first responders, which was negatively impacting ambulance response times to help Hoosiers. Slager's legislation raises the Medicaid reimbursement rate to match the federal Medicare rate, which will help address increasing costs and Hoosiers who need life-saving care.
“Rep. Slager's work on HEA 1112, which passed unanimously and was signed into law by the Governor is a major step forward in ensuring that patients seeking ambulance services are protected and our EMS industry is supported with sufficient funding in order for our men and women on the frontlines to be compensated appropriately. He is a very worthy recipient of our Legislator of the Year Award," said Kim Godden, Vice President at Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of IN and Legislative Chair of the Indiana EMS Association.
House Enrolled Act 1112 goes into effect July 1. For more information, visit iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Hal Slager (R-Schererville) represents House District 15,
which includes portions of Lake County.
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PHOTO CAPTION: State Rep. Hal Slager (R-Schererville) (right) receives the 2022 Legislator of the Year award from the Indiana Emergency Medical Service Association for his work on House Enrolled Act 1112 on Saturday, May 7, 2022. Slager's legislation raised the Medicaid reimbursement rate to match the federal Medicare rate, which will help address increasing costs and Hoosiers who need life-saving care.
