Rep. Novak Commends the Passage of Ambulance Licensure Bill

Legislation Enables Timely Emergency Response across State Lines

MADISON – Earlier today, the state Assembly passed legislation authored by State Representative Todd Novak (Dodgeville) to allow for out-of-state ambulance service in portions of Lafayette County. Assembly Bill 249/Senate Bill 182 addresses an interstate license reciprocity concern along the Wisconsin/Illinois state line where ambulance services may be unnecessarily delayed.

“We all know that in medical emergencies, time is of the essence. When a life is on the line, citizens shouldn’t have to wait because of government red tape,” said Rep. Novak. “At the request of concerned constituents, I brought forward this bill to make sure that emergency services can be delivered in a timely fashion”.

The issue was first brought to light after the state Department of Health Services determined that because of a licensure difference between the two states, an ambulance from Illinois cannot provide service in Wisconsin – even if it was the closest responding unit.

There are already real world examples of lives being placed in jeopardy because of the licensure disagreement. This legislation provides a narrow exemption to current requirements and allows an ambulance service provider licensed in another state that make ten or fewer patient transports per year that originate and terminate in Wisconsin.

“This bill takes a meaningful step toward working to provide timely emergency services for southern Lafayette County,” said Rep. Novak. “The health and safety of our communities shouldn’t be jeopardized because of government paperwork.”

The state Senate also voted to pass the legislation today. Recently, Lafayette County Sheriff Reg Gill in testified in support and answered questions before the joint hearing of the state Assembly Committee on Health and the state Senate Committee on Health and Human Services.

The bill was passed unanimously by both the Senate and Assembly, and will now go to the Governor’s desk for his signature.

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