Latest news with #EMSSalaryEnhancementFund
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
West Virginia EMS Coalition letter calling for restoration of salary fund gets 1,500 signatures
FAIRMONT, (WBOY) — The West Virginia EMS Coalition is calling for support for the EMS Salary Enhancement Fund, which they say is key to retaining EMS workers throughout the state. In a letter addressed to Governor Morrissey and the legislature with 1,500 signatures from paramedics, EMTs, county officials and other members of the community, the Coalition says EMS agencies face stiff competition in keeping EMS workers when workers can find better wages in other states or other medical professions. The Salary Enhancement Fund, the Coalition argues, mitigates this problem. The letter, which details these issues and was sent to the Governor as well as 12 News, says while $10 million of funding has been authorized for this year, no money in the state budget has been set aside for it. Gov. Morrisey signs bill to ban certain food dyes in West Virginia Assistant Chief at the Marion County Rescue Squad Donna Wade told 12 News that the finances of EMS workers are typically strained with workers often working two jobs. Without the Salary Enhancement EMS fund, she said, 'There's a real reality that some places in West Virginia, when you call 911, there may not be an ambulance or staffing to come help you.' The EMS Salary Enhancement Fund was started by Senate Bill 737 in 2023. The Coalition says the Fund was initially supported with $10 million, and a further $10 million appeared to be allocated in Governor Justice's FY 2025 budget. However, when this legislative session came around, the EMS Coalition found that while $10 million of spending had been authorized for the EMS Salary Enhancement Fund for both FY 2025 and FY 2026, there was no corresponding funding source. Wade told 12 News that EMS agencies generally face monetary challenges, and that EMS agencies generally receive little funding from the state or county and reimbursements from Medicaid or Medicare for 911 are low. Many EMS agencies already put access to the EMS Salary Enhancement Fund into their planning. With the money falling through, Wade said West Virginia could see a situation in which EMS agencies close. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
WV EMS Coalition urges WV Legislature to review budget in fear of financial cuts
CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS) – Emergency Medical Services are some of the first people that arrive at the scene of an emergency. Now, the West Virginia EMS Coalition is reaching out to Governor Patrick Morrisey and the West Virginia Legislature, to review the EMS Salary Enhancement Fund. The coalition represents the emergency medical service agencies in 51 counties in the state. The EMS Salary Enhancement Funds is a program that was put in place by the West Virginia Legislature in 2023 to make EMS positions in the state more competitive with neighboring states. Now, the coalition says there is no funding for the 2025 fiscal year budget. Anthony McDaniel, a board member for the WV EMS Coalition, goes into more detail behind the fund. 'Go across the border and sometimes make $10 to close to $20 an hour or more to do essentially the exact same job. So the legislature recognized that as an issue. They set up this fund and they created a different formula depending on how much local contribution was made from individual counties and the type of service they had,' said McDaniel. Local agencies gather donations for those affected by Hurricane Helene A release by the coalition says, unless funds are allocated for the program, EMS workers in West Virginia will lose $9 million dollars. Reduction in salaries, loss of stipends and cuts in retention pay all contribute to the loss of funds. McDaniel said if there are those in the community that want to reach out with support, there are multiple ways to do so. New EMS Treat-in-place law to take effect in the month of May 'Currently, there is a call to action out there to sign a joint letter supporting EMS salary enhancement funds going to go to the governor's office in the legislature. You don't have to be an in-house provider in order to sign that letter stating we recognized that the fund was created. There was actually no money allocated to that fund for the 25 and 26 year,' said McDaniel. The coalition currently has the support of congresswoman Carol Miller for the Ground Ambulance Medical Services act, but is hoping for more support from the West Virginia legislature. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
