Hudson, Butterfield Bipartisan Life-Saving EMS Bill Passes House
November 14, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 14, 2016
Contact: Tatum Gibson (202) 225-3715
Hudson, Butterfield Bipartisan Life-Saving EMS Bill Passes House
WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, U.S. Representatives Richard Hudson (NC-08) and G.K. Butterfield (NC-01) released the following statements after their bipartisan bill, the Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act, passed the House with unanimous support:
“I’m pleased to see this common sense bill pass the House with such strong bipartisan support today, and I urge my colleagues in the Senate to get it to the president’s desk,” said Rep. Hudson.“I’d like to thank G.K. Butterfield for his help on this issue, and I look forward to continuing working with him to ensure patients can get the care they need. While today’s bill may not be flashy, it solves a problem and saves lives. It’s an example of how to get things done — finding common ground and advancing bipartisan solutions to the problems facing our country.”
“When health emergencies occur, there is no time to waste,” said Rep. Butterfield.“This bill passed the House today unanimously and will help protect the ability of our first responders to continue to provide appropriate treatment to patients in times of need and will help save lives and prevent disabilities. I am pleased to have led this effort with Congressman Hudson and I thank him for his leadership on this issue.”
To watch Rep. Hudson’s remarks on the House floor in support of this legislation, click here.
The Protecting Patient Access to Emergency MedicationsAct (H.R. 4365) was approved by the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously by voice vote in September. The bill would amend the Controlled Substances Act to enable paramedics and other emergency medical services (EMS) professionals to continue to administer controlled substances, such as pain narcotics and anti-seizure medications, to patients pursuant to standing orders issued by their EMS agency’s medical director. Without this solution, quality emergency care may decrease and patients could suffer simply because law and regulation have not kept up with the evolution of modern medicine.
This legislation is supported by:
- Air Medical Physician Association
- American Academy of Emergency Medicine
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- The American Ambulance Association
- American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons
- American College of Emergency Physicians
- Association of Air Medical Services
- Association of Critical Care Transport
- Congressional Fire Services Institute
- Emergency Nurses Association
- Epilepsy Foundation
- International Association of Fire Chiefs
- International Association of Fire Fighters
- National Association of EMS Physicians
- National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians
- National Association of Police Organizations
- National Association of State EMS Officials
- Orthopaedic Trauma Association
- Paramedic Foundation
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Issues:Health Care