Bensalem Township Council members voted to approve a resolution to pass PA House Bill 1152 also called “saving our 911 EMS providers” last month
Council agreed to approve a resolution to support a measure which if passed, will insure that all EMS (Emergency Medical Services) personnel will be reimbursed by insurance companies for services rendered to Commonwealth residents.
Councilwoman Michelle Benitez said Bensalem officials are working really hard to bring in revenue support to EMS personnel, with one of those ways being to support the passing of the bill.
“Currently when our providers are providing to patients, patients are getting reimbursed for the services instead of our EMS getting paid directly from insurance companies which doesn’t make sense,” Benitez said
“We’re struggling to make ends meet and get money for our EMS,” she added.
Benitez said many other officials in Bucks County are in support of the bill becoming law.
Bensalem Council President Joseph Knowle said that while some insurance providers do pay EMS directly, there are others that do not, leading to EMS personnel having to reach out to the insurance companies about the payments.
“Other insurance companies pay directly to the patient, and the patient gets a check for ambulance services, and never gives it to the EMS.”
Knowles made it clear that while passing this resolution has no impact on whether or not the bill will pass, it does tell the state that they are in favor of measure becoming law.
The resolution was passed with Council members voting in favor 4-0.
The bill was first introduced on April 4th, 2025 to the PA House Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness. House representative Jill Cooper (WestMoreland-R) is the prime sponsor of the bill.
Because state law requires EMS providers to respond to any and all calls, we believe it is reasonable for them to be provided with the financial resources necessary to deliver life-saving services. They are required to be positioned at the ready to respond whether a call comes in or not, said Cooper when the bill was circulated among members seeking co=sponsors earlier this year.
“In the near future, we plan to introduce legislation that would establish a fair and direct reimbursement rate for mandated 911 emergency medical services provided by EMS providers from insurers regardless of whether the EMS provider is in the insurance network or not,” Cooper said.
The bill remains in committee seeking approval before the entire House gets to review it.
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