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JLARC Seeks Input for Study of EMS System (June - August 2004)
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Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) of the
Virginia General Assembly has been requested to conduct a study of the
emergency medical services (EMS) system in the Commonwealth. House
Joint Resolution 133 from the 2004 General Assembly Session directs JLARC to review and assess emergency care services in Virginia; identify emerging issues and problems in Virginia's EMS system; and consider the effect of issues such as health care costs, funding for emergency medical care, third-party reimbursement, and Medicaid and Medicare rates on the EMS system. This study is an indication of the legislative interest in emergency medical services. As part of the study, JLARC is asking each EMS agency in Virginia to provide them with some information. JLARC staff have developed a short, Internet-based survey that they would like each EMS agency to complete. The survey has been mailed to approximately 700 plus EMS agencies on Friday, June 18. The survey has been designed to minimize the amount of time EMS agency representatives have to spend referring to their files, and should take no more than 20 to 30 minutes to complete. All results will be confidential, and results/comments will not be attributed to a specific agency or individual. The survey will be available on-line until August 31, 2004 (Extended). The survey is on the JLARC web site at
http://jlarc.state.va.us/. There is also a link to the survey In addition to this survey of EMS squad captains, JLARC will be seeking input from all certified EMS providers in Virginia through a separate on-line questionnaire. JLARC encourages EMS agency officials to inform providers in their agency of this opportunity and encourage them to provide input into the study. This on-line questionnaire for providers will be available on the JLARC web site beginning June 30, and will be available on-line until August 31, 2004. More information may be found by visiting the Virginia Office of EMS website at http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/OEMS/oems_general/JLARC.asp
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