Texas Ambulance Association
Position Statement
Reorganization of Bureau of Emergency Management
January 29, 2004

 Introduction:

One of the results of the last legislative session was the House Bill 2292, which calls for budget cuts by the consolidation of  the twelve agencies of the Texas Health & Human Services Commission (HHS) into five agencies.

As mandated, the Health and Human Service Commission began the process of consolidation and are proposing two models for consideration and comment.  The two reorganization models  can be viewed by clicking on the following link.  http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/Consolidation/News/dshs_org/Structure.html - more.

HHS is currently conducting hearings around the State to receive input from key stakeholder groups and individuals. 

Review of both of the proposed models will show that the Bureau of Emergency Management as it is today is being done away with. 

Because the models for how EMS will be managed in the future are not clear,  there should be cause for great concern by all TAA members.  The TAA is encouraging all of its members to insure that your thoughts, opinions and ideas are heard by attending one the stakeholders meetings. To assist you in addressing your concerns, the TAA has formulated the following “talking points” to be used when giving testimony at hearings, visiting with your local elected State officials and any other key stakeholders.

 Points to Consider:

We recognize the necessity of consolidation as mandated by the Legislature in the past session.  It is an unavoidable process.  The TAA is concerned that there will be negative impacts to stakeholder groups, including ours,  due to the haste brought on by the short time-lines for process completion.

Both of the current models appear unclear as to how their implementation will  affect stakeholder groups including ours.

 It appears that years of work, developing an “EMS system” along with many other systems (e.g. Trauma, Hospitals etc.)  may be negatively effected by the “de-systemization” or fragmentation of the various departments in an attempt to implement the mandated changes.

Suggestions for Development of Further Implementation Plans:

Include key stakeholder groups for input.  The “victims of change” should be allowed to give their impression of the effects of the proposed changes.

The public will be better served if EMS remains a “system” and is not allowed to be fragmented within the new structure.  EMS licensing, regulation, investigation, enforcement and education should all fall under one section or division and not be fragmented among the various arms of the HHS.

Divisions that oversee  EMS, Trauma and Hospitals should be placed under the same section or division.  The inter-activity of these current systems is apparent and should be maintained in light of past development work as well as in view of the Homeland Security issues we now face.

Conclusions:

Since these changes are mandated by law, and are inevitable, the goals of these changes must be achieved.  The methods for achieving them, however, are now being developed.  Once again, we as an industry face the opportunity to help determine our future.  Inaction and apathy on our part will result in someone outside of our industry deciding our future for us. 

The Texas Ambulance Association urges you to become involved in this process and help chart the course for our future.  As a board of directors, we can think of no one better to help decide how best to manage EMS from a governmental perspective than the very people with the most knowledge about EMS in Texas, you, our members.

If you are not a member of TAA consider joining today and become a part of a larger voice.