BILL NUMBER: AB 2406	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Rodriguez

                        FEBRUARY 21, 2014

   An act to add and repeal Section 1797.122 of the Health and Safety
Code, relating to emergency medical services.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2406, as introduced, Rodriguez. Emergency Medical Services
Authority: abuse of emergency medical services.
   Existing law requires the Emergency Medical Services Authority to
develop planning and implementation guidelines for emergency medical
services (EMS) systems that address several components, including,
but not limited to, manpower and training, communications,
transportation, and assessment of hospitals and critical care
centers.
   This bill would require the authority no later than December 1,
2015, to report to the Legislature identifying programs that have
been implemented in the state by local EMS agencies to address the
misuse and abuse of emergency medical services. The bill would
require the report to include a summary of the specified information
on the various approaches applied to serve those frequent EMS user
transports and any recommendations for the implementation of a
statewide program to address the misuse and abuse of emergency
medical services.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) Nonemergency calls are overloading the 911 system.
   (b) The most common nonemergency reasons given by transported
people calling 911 requesting an ambulance include: "I didn't have a
ride," "I though I might be seen more quickly by getting to an
emergency room on an ambulance," "I needed a prescription refill,"
"It's a free ride," and "I am hungry and I know I will get a meal at
the hospital."
   (c) Frequent users of emergency medical services, commonly
referred to as ambulance "frequent flyers," are costing California
cities millions of dollars. According to the EMS Medical Director of
the County of San Diego Emergency Medical Services, for example,
1,136 frequent users utilized the emergency medical services (EMS)
system at least six times in 2012 and generated more than $20 million
in ambulance and paramedic charges.
  SEC. 2.  Section 1797.122 is added to the Health and Safety Code,
to read:
   1797.122.  (a) The authority shall prepare and submit a report to
the Legislature identifying programs that have been implemented in
the state by local emergency medical services agencies to address the
misuse and abuse of emergency medical services. The report shall
include all of the following:
   (1) A summary of the different programs implemented by local
emergency medical services agencies to address the misuse and abuse
of emergency medical services, including specific information on the
various approaches applied to serve those frequent EMS user
transports, such as:
   (A) Identification and prioritization.
   (B) Medical assessments.
   (C) Care management or comprehensive care.
   (D) Ongoing support via home visits or telephone calls.
   (E) Support to the patient and family by directing the patient and
his or her family to available resources such as health insurance
coverage, access to primary care and mental health services,
transportation and other relevant social services.
   (F) The financial impact of servicing frequent EMS user
transports, including funding sources and the costs of providing
these services.
   (G) Best practices.
   (H) Cost-saving measures to offset frequent EMS user transport
expenses.
   (2) Any recommendations for the implementation of a statewide
program to address the misuse and abuse of emergency medical
services.
   (b) The report shall be submitted to the Legislature no later than
December 1, 2015.
   (c) (1) A report submitted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be
submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
   (2) Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, this
section is repealed on January 1, 2019.