The proposed bill would update current statutes governing ambulance services in Arizona by allowing counties, municipalities, fire districts, and health service districts to participate in emergency paramedic programs without a Certificate of Necessity (CON). It would grant the Director of the Department of Health Services (DHS) the authority to create new ambulance rate categories based on current care standards, enabling existing CON holders to apply for these rates without changing their current structures. Additionally, the bill would require DHS to consider call density when regulating ambulance response times and would establish less stringent requirements for secondary providers.

The bill would also remove the provision allowing certain entities to request additional reviews of ambulance response times every six years and would streamline the CON application process by reducing the information submission period from 60 to 30 days. It would automatically renew CONs for one year if holders apply and pay fees before expiration. Furthermore, the bill introduces new definitions, such as "call density," and updates existing terms related to emergency medical services, while enhancing transparency by requiring air ambulance services to file rate schedules with DHS and ensuring these rates are publicly accessible. Overall, the bill aims to improve the efficiency and responsiveness of ambulance services while modernizing regulatory processes.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 36-2201, 36-2207, 36-2213, 36-2232, 36-2233, 36-2234, 36-2235, 36-2239, 36-2205, 36-2202, 36-2204, 36-2225, 36-2212, 36-401, 36-2240, 36-2237, 36-2217, 36-2242, 48-820, 48-822, 12-904, 41-1092.08, 36-2245