State Rep. Andrea Schroeder (R-Independence Township) recently presented a bill proposal that unanimously passed the Michigan Senate. This proposed bill was created with the purpose of protecting local emergency first responders from being assessed with unexpected fees by the state.
The bill was inspired by the former fire chief of Waterford Township, John Lyman, and is already being sent to Gov. Whitmer to be signed into law, according to Michigan House Republicans. Schroeder is very pleased with the bipartisan support of the bill thus far.
“This improvement in our state law will help local governments keep their budgets balanced,” Schroeder told Michigan House Republicans. “It strengthens the partnership between the state and local governments as they work together to plan and provide important services to taxpayers and their families.”
This bill came about after Lyman contacted Schroeder following his appeal of almost $4,000 in fees assessed to Waterford Township’s ambulance services. The fee is meant to cover the cost of participating in Michigan’s Quality Assurance Assessment Program, which helps to fund Michigan’s Medicaid program.
“While the fee itself is valid, the state’s process for notifying local governments about it must be improved,” Schroeder said, according to Michigan House Republicans.
House Bill 4830 requires the state to notify local governments, hospitals and ambulance providers about the ambulance operations fee, no later than Nov. 1 of every year.
Alerts Sign-up