Health care services advance under new law

By Beloit Daily News

MADISON - Assembly Bill 151 authored by Rep. Amy Loudenbeck, R-Clinton, Rep. Katrina Shankland, D-Stevens Point, and Sen. Terry Moulton, R- Chippewa Falls, was signed into law by Gov. Scott Walker Monday after passing both legislative chambers with unanimous bipartisan support.

The bill advances opportunities for non-emergency health care services in Wisconsin by creating and defining community paramedics and community emergency medical technicians.

It also creates the framework allowing hospitals, private ambulance companies, and municipal EMS providers to develop new strategies for delivering quality care.

"Pilot programs have already demonstrated that community-based, mobile integrated health produces improvements in health outcomes and medical cost savings. I hope to continue to hear stories about the life-changing impacts on CEMS in the communities across the state," Loudenbeck said.