What started out as a one-page document on March 16 of this year and submitted to address special tax provisions for poverty became a flop in less than five months.

            The Pennsylvania House of Representatives Committee on Veterans and Emergency Preparedness approved it on May 1 with an amendment that would remove the requirement that an ambulance must travel 20 miles with a patient on board before Medical Assistance will reimburse for the service.  It was passed by the committee with a unanimous vote of all 21 members.

            It came back to the full House of Representatives and, after a brief trip to the Appropriations Committee, it was returned to the Representatives.  On June 5 it was passed by the Representatives by a 208-0 vote and passed on to the Pennsylvania Senate.

            It reached the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on June 6 for their review and consideration.

            The budget deadline of June 30 was nearing and there were outstanding issues on both sides, unrelated to ambulance services in Pennsylvania.

            On June 27 the bill was passed on to the full Senate with no changes.  Three days to budget deadline.

            The Senate held its first consideration of the bill on June 27 and its' second on June 28.  Two days left to budget deadline.  That same day it was sent to the Senate Appropriations Committee.  The next day, June 30, it came back to the full Senate with about 20 pages of amendments.  It was approved, with the amendments, later that day by a 29-21 vote.

            What amendments were added?  The added Sub-Article B was titled Pennsylvania Award for Student Success Scholarship Program.  Some refer to the program with a simple word, vouchers.

            We all know what a battle that has been for several months.

            The bill went back to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives that same day and it was referred to their Rules Committee.  The House is not scheduled to reconvene until Tuesday, September 26 at noon.

            There are times when amendments are beneficial but tacking on the controversial voucher issue to a bill to help our community ambulance groups stopped help that should have come decades ago.  Helping emergency medical services should not be used as a bargaining chip.  Ambulance services within our Commonwealth are closing due to lack of funding.  The latest being just a few weeks ago in Kutztown, just a short ride into Berks County from here.

            So please, check the records.  You will find out that a local ambulance service can easily be shortchanged up to seven figures each year to cover their costs because of antiquated laws.           Where do think that money has to come from?

            Currently, nearly $21 million to increase ambulance reimbursement rates is frozen by the state.  Local help is needed.

            Many state legislators are banding together and holding rallies to support their pet projects.  Why isn't Bill 476 in its original form one of them?  Why aren't we asking that question?

            Well, we are now.

            Contact your state legislators and tell them that ambulance services and school vouchers are two separate subjects and should not be part of the same bill.  The school voucher argument should not impact a service that could save someone's life.