Senator Kissel Opposes Removal of $5 Million in Medicaid Increases for Ambulance Services

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 21, 2024

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Senator Kissel Opposes Removal of $5 Million in Medicaid Increases for Ambulance Services

HARTFORD – State Sen. John Kissel (R-Enfield) submitted testimony to the Connecticut General Assembly’s Appropriations Committee today to strongly oppose the Governor’s plan to remove $5 million in funding for Medicaid increases for ambulance services in Fiscal Year 2025.

This funding was approved in last year’s budget to provide a long overdue increase in reimbursements to ambulance service providers from the Medicaid program. However, in this year’s budget proposal by Governor Ned Lamont, the ambulance rate increase was recommended to be suspended until the state’s rate reimbursement study is complete in 2025.

Senator Kissel commented on a unique impact to his, and other districts that house correctional facilities.

“North Central Connecticut will specifically be impacted, including the Town of Somers which I am privileged to have represented in the Senate for over 30 years. Somers receives an exceptionally large volume of Department of Corrections calls – all of which fall under Medicaid. Somers EMS must transport the sick and injured Department of Correction prisoners to down-state hospitals.” Said Senator Kissel.

“Additionally, the removal of this increase will result in the loss of federal matching funds, making the loss total more than $10 million. The consequences of this will be innumerable.” Senator Kissel continued.

Senator Kissel strongly urged legislators on both sides of the aisle and Governor Lamont to support a proposal that leaves the Medicaid rate increase for ambulance services intact.