The Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS), based in Alexandria, Virginia, and representing the air medical transport industry, submitted a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar with a request to distribute money to emergency air medical providers from the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund. Established in 1980, AAMS is a non-profit, international trade association.
AAMS explains the measure is needed to ensure the sustainability of the air ambulance community’s labour force through the next six months. The association anticipates air ambulance labour costs over that time will increase by an approximately 50 per cent. AAMS anticipates a total six-month need of US$254,424.00 per aircraft, for a total allocation of US$363,571,425.00.
“Like other segments of the health care industry, air medical providers are incurring significant labour and other cost increases stemming from our members’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Cameron Curtis, president and CEO, AAMS. “This public health emergency has exacerbated the already precarious viability of emergency air providers across the country and threatens the closure of additional air medical bases at a time when this service is acutely needed.”
In the April 6 letter to Secretary Azar, Curtis and AAMS Board Chair Deborah Boudreaux report a nearly 50 per cent decline in patient transport volume with fewer people requiring services owing to stay-at-home and social-distancing measures. They point out, however, that air services must remain a state of readiness for patients with emergency medical and trauma needs, as well as for COVID-19 patients needing transport to medical centres.
