State News
I'm Just an Ambulance Driver Podcast Series
Tune in monthly for relevant topics to EMS and the input of EMS providers and administrators alike. Hosted by EMSARN (Emergency Medical Service Agency Research Network for Quality & Safety Improvement). [Listen]
Marketing Your Volunteer Fire or Ambulance Department
Rural America relies heavily on volunteer fire and ambulance departments. With little to no tax base in these areas, it is difficult or impossible to generate the necessary funds to properly finance an emergency services organization. Rural communities have little choice but to form their own organizations, financed by local donations, spaghetti dinners, rib feeds, pancake breakfasts, and whatever other creative effort to raise a dollar comes to mind. [Read article]
Wisconsin Relay of Electronic Data (WIRED) for Health
The goal of the WIRED for Health project is to build substantial health information exchange capacity statewide to support providers' meaningful use of electronic health records and enable efficient, appropriate, and secure flow of information to optimize decisions for health. The approach is to plan, develop, and implement interoperable, standards-based, secure electronic exchange of patient and health data. [Website; Board members]
Hospital CEOs Testify at CAH Assessment Legislative Hearing
The Rural Healthcare Access Act, (AB 770 / SB 553), which would strengthen rural health through a new assessment on critical access hospitals, took a step forward when the Assembly Rural Economic Development Committee passed AB 770 on a 7-2-1 bipartisan vote. The vote came just two days after a hearing on the bill. [Read article]
Health Care Cost Transparency Helps Consumers
Editorial: If Gov. Jim Doyle signs the legislation the state Legislature passed, doctors, nurses, dentists, chiropractors, pharmacists and other health care providers would have to supply the median bills charged for a service upon request. Also, hospitals would be required to list charges for treating 75 conditions they handle most frequently. And insurers would have to provide an estimate of out-of-pocket costs. [Read article]
Emergency Medical Services Week - Wisconsin
Governor Doyle issued a proclamation of his support for EMS during 2010 EMS Week: May 16-22, 2010. [Read article]
White House Touts Kagen's Work On Health-Care Reform
As the White House seeks to secure support from House Democrats on health-care reform, it is promoting Rep. Steve Kagen's efforts to require insurance companies to openly disclose the prices of their services. [Read article]
Special Report: Rural Health
Wisconsin State Journal reporter David Wahlberg is undertaking a special project this year examining rural health care challenges. Installments on related issues will follow in the coming months. The project is partly supported by the nonprofit, nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation, which awarded a fellowship to Wahlberg. [Read article]
