The proposed bill would update current statutes related to ambulance services by introducing new provisions and modifying existing requirements. Specifically, it would grant the Director of the Department of Health Services (DHS) the authority to establish additional ambulance rate categories based on current standards of care, allowing existing Certificate of Necessity (CON) holders to apply for these new categories without changing their existing rates. The bill would also clarify the roles of primary and secondary ambulance providers in overlapping service areas, with less stringent response time requirements for secondary providers.

Additionally, the bill would streamline the CON application and renewal process by reducing the public input period from 60 to 30 days and tolling the decision-making period during this time. It would automatically renew CONs for one year if the application is timely filed but not yet determined by the expiration date, and it would require the Director to issue a temporary CON under certain conditions. Other changes include the removal of specific appeal hearing requirements and the introduction of staffing criteria for advanced life support services, all aimed at improving the efficiency and responsiveness of ambulance services in Arizona.

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
Senate Engrossed Version: 36-2232, 36-2233, 36-2234, 36-2235, 36-2239, 36-2212, 36-401, 36-2240, 36-2237, 36-2217, 36-2242, 48-820, 48-822, 12-904, 41-1092.08, 36-2245