Mar 4, 2009 6:08 pm US/Eastern
Some Lawmakers Support Privatizing Medevac System
Reporting
Adam May
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) ―
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Next week, Maryland lawmakers will take up an issue that could affect anyone who ends up in need of help.
Next week, Maryland lawmakers will take up an issue that could affect anyone who ends up in need of help.
Adam May reports that some state senators want to give private companies the chance to take over Medevac helicopters.
Hundreds of emergency responders from across the state rallied in front of the State House against two Senate bills aimed at overhauling the state's Medevac helicopter program.
Senator E.J. Pipkin's Medevac Improvement Act splits the state's existing fleet into two units--medical and law enforcement. Private companies can bid to run the medical fleet and new safety standards can reduce costs.
"We're leaving millions of dollars on the table every year by not asking private insurance companies to pay for flights we should be getting reimbursed for," he said.
Private insurance, private operators are the biggest sticking points for Medevac supporters like this Shock Trauma doctor.
"Our driver's licenses pay for the Medevac fleet, cheapest health insurance you will ever have. If you privatize it, health insurance will go up and what if you're uninsured? Where is that multi-thousand bill going to go?" said Dr. Matthew Lissauer.
Meanwhile, the state is facing tens of millions of dollars in bills to replace and upgrade the aging fleet.
Many people on both sides of this issue agree on one proposed change: adding a second medical professional to all flights.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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