Item 4 - Report on Mobile Healthcare Services Option

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JEO OINTLECTEDFFICIALS AIS GENDATEMUMMARY ACTION: REPORT ON MOBILE HEALTHCARE SERVICES OPTION Meeting Date: February 24, 2011 Agenda Item Number: 4 Department: Eugene & Springfield Fire Departments Staff Contact: Randy Groves, Chief ISSUE STATEMENT Based on the recommendation #6 of the Joint Elected Officials (JEO) Ambulance Transport System (ATS) Task Force accepted at the December 7, 2009 regular JEO meeting, development of a Mobile Health Care System proposal by December 2010 was specified, followed by a report to elected officials. A decision on the next step is requested. BACKGROUND In January 2009, a Central Lane ATS Summit was organized, bringing Joint Elected Officials (JEO) from Eugene, Springfield, Lane County, and Lane Rural Fire/Rescue together with health care officials to discuss the financial status of the ATS and the need to create alternative financial solutions. Staff from each ATS jurisdiction recommended creation of a JEO ATS Task Force to review the issue and recommend potential solutions. The JEO ATS Task Force was created, began meeting on April 6, 2009 and continued through November 23, 2009. The Task Force presented a report of recommendations to the Joint Elected Officials on December 7, 2009. It included seven recommendations, each requiring various actions to be taken to determine their applicability. Recommendation #6 stated “That work proceed as rapidly as possible regarding provision of a regional mobile health care system, featuring tiered levels of response (and cost) available to patients depending on the nature of the emergency, with a report to elected officials by the end of calendar year 2010.” The City of Springfield sponsored a six-month MHS design and development proposal period beginning in July 2010, with the goal of providing a multi-phase implementation proposal and attracting sponsorship of a national organization with the capacity to carry out the proposal. The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) has accepted this task. The biggest challenge remaining is to secure funding from the federal government for implementing and evaluating Mobile Healthcare Services. The proposal has been drafted and shared with staff members of all Oregon congressional offices, which have shown universal support for pursuing funding. Professional consultants for the Lane County United Front, a coalition of local government agencies seeking federal support, have also encouraged pursuing funding efforts. The IAFC will continue advocacy in Washington, D.C. on a limited basis, through an organization known as the Congressional Fire services Caucus. The estimated timeline for funding is 18-24 months.