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Chief Administrative Office, Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Preparedness and Response Division, recommending the Board consider the following:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Amendment II to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 266-S1410 with Barton Healthcare System and Marshall Medical Center for disbursement of Richie's Funds from the County's EMS Fund, allowing the County to notify the hospitals by written notification of a new annual funding amount; and
2) Authorize the Chair to execute Amendment II to MOU 266-S1410.
FUNDING: Fines, penalties, or forfeitures collected by the courts for applicable criminal offenses under California Government Code 76000.5, California Health and Safety Code Section 1797.98a, and County Resolution 192-2007.
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BACKGROUND
The Maddy Emergency Medical Services Fund is a special revenue fund that was established pursuant to Health and Safety Code § 1797.98a. The EMS Fund receives court penalty assessments which are used to reimburse physicians and surgeons the cost of uncompensated emergency care and to provide for other EMS expenses. The EMS Fund includes a sub-fund, the Richie's Fund, which is dedicated to funding pediatric trauma centers, or in counties without a pediatric trauma center, improving access to pediatric trauma and emergency services. On December 15, 2020, the Board approved the transfer of responsibility of the EMS Fund from the Health and Human Services Agency to the Chief Administrative Office, Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Preparedness and Response Division.
In March 2021, the Board approved Amendment I to MOU 266-S1410, extending the contract term through March 1, 2024.
Amendment II clarifies the reimbursement process and time frame, and allows the County to modify the annual funding amounts by written notification to the hospitals, i.e. a letter signed by the contract administrator. Amendment II also authorizes the one-time reimbursement of eligible items previously purchased by hospitals during the period of April 2020 through March 2021.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could decline to approve the use of Richie’s Funds to reimburse previously incurred expenses.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
15-0210 - 3/10/2015: Board approval and authorization to execute MOU 266-S1410
20-1510 - 12/15/2020: Board approval of the transfer of responsibility of the EMS Fund from the Health and Human Services Agency to the Chief Administrative Office, Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Preparedness and Response Division.
21-0235 - 02/23/2021: Board approval and execution of Amendment I to MOU 266-S1410
OTHER DEPARTMENT/AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel
CAO RECOMMENDED ACTION
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The proposed Amendment II does not have any financial impact. The Richie's Funds disbursed by this MOU are designated to be used to improve access to, and coordination of, pediatric trauma and emergency services in the County. The MOU restricts funding not to exceed actual Richie's Funds available.
As of July 2021, the Richie’s Fund balance is approximately $45,000. Anticipated annual revenue is approximately $20,000.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTION
Return fully executed Amendment II to Chief Administrative Office, Central Fiscal Services, attention: Gina De Martini-Kuhns for further processing.
CONTACT
Michelle Patterson, EMS Manager