Congress was in recess, which kept things a little quieter. FEMA has been telling Congressional staff that they will start making payments on its grant programs this week. In addition, the freeze on federal hiring was extended through July 15. You can continue to raise concerns about the suspension of in-person training at the National Fire Academy.
New Executive Order by President Trump to Reduce Drug Prices
President Trump signed an executive order Lowering Drug Prices by Once Again Putting Americans First – The White House directing Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy to work to lower drug prices. Included in this order was a directive to increase competition in the market by making generic versions of drugs more available. It is unclear at this point how this may affect fire department’s EMS ordering, but it may lead to more options in producers of EMS carried drugs.
Legislation to Extend the Add-On Payments for EMS Transport of Medicare Patients
Representatives Claudia Tenney (R-NY) and Terri Sewell (D-AL) introduced the Protecting Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act (H.R. 2232). This bill would extend Medicare add-on payments for EMS transport through December 31, 2027, ensuring they do not expire on September 30, 2025. These payments range from 2% to 22.6%, based on the population density of the community served. The bill has been referred to the House Energy & Commerce and Ways & Means Committees. The IAFC strongly supports this important legislation to help maintain access to EMS care.
Please Register Your Systems in the 4.9 GHz Band with the FCC
If fire departments have a communications system on the 4.9 GHz band, they must register them with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) by June 9 IAFC Members Must Report Any Systems Utilizing the 4.9 GHz Band by June 9. The FCC is trying to determine the users on the 4.9 GHz band as they try to better utilize it for public safety communications. Unregistered systems will lose their ability to operate on the 4.9 GHz band.
New Legislation Introduced to Codify the Status of Special Districts
On April 9, Representatives Pat Fallon (R-TX) and Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) introduced the Special Districts Fairness and Accessibility Act (H.R. 2766) to confirm the legal status and availability of federal funding for special districts. There are approximately 35,000 special districts. They provide critical infrastructure and essential services, such as fire protection.
Unfortunately, there is no definition of a “special district” in federal statute. The Census Bureau does not consider special districts to be geographic units of government, which prevents the special districts from accessing programs such as Community Development Block grants. The IAFC supports this legislation, which would define “special districts” in statute and direct the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to issue guidance to clarify how federal agencies recognize special districts as being eligible to receive federal financial assistance.