Save Our Air Medical Resources (S.O.A.R) campaign announces 40 new partner
organizations joining effort to protect access to emergency air medical services
Health care, consumer, business organizations, national associations, air medical industry leaders and local providers from around the country show their support for the campaign
A diverse group of 40 health care, consumer, and business organizations, local providers, and industry leaders have joined the Save Our Air Medical Resources (S.O.A.R.) to protect and preserve access to emergency air medical services for communities across the country.
Emergency air medical transport by helicopter is a critical, life-saving service that millions of Americans across the country, especially those in rural areas, rely on to reach hospitals and trauma centers in emergency situations. In cases of strokes and other traumatic injuries, access to emergency air transport can mean the difference between life and death, and preserving a patient’s quality of life when proper care is administered as quickly as possible.
“Right now there is a fundamental problem that threatens the delivery of emergency air medical services, and we hope that in 2017 policymakers and stakeholders will take meaningful steps toward solutions,” said S.O.A.R. spokeswoman Amanda Thayer. “Insurance reimbursement shortfalls—by government insurance and in some cases by private insurers—as well as efforts by some to create more regulatory obstacles that would severely cripple the delivery of this critical health care service for patients in life threatening conditions need to be addressed.”
“Florida residents who live in rural areas need ready access to comprehensive medical facilities, which are often many miles away,” said Marilyn Mesh, M.Ed, M.Ac. manager for the Florida Rural Health Association. “Emergency air medical services help bridge this distance between rural communities and trauma centers and emergency rooms, and protecting these services is vital for the health and safety of rural communities across the state. We are proud to join the SOAR Campaign and look forward to finding solutions that protect and preserve these services for all communities.”
“We support the efforts of SOAR and its partners across the state and the nation to preserve emergency air medical services,” said Julio Fuentes, president/CEO of the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “Emergencies can happen to anyone at any time, and every community in America should have access to fast, high-quality health care and transport when disaster strikes.”
The full list of partner organization includes:
- Healthcare Organizations – Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS), International Association of Flight & Critical Care Paramedics (IAFCCP), Epilepsy Association of Central Florida, Epilepsy Association of the Big Bend, Florida Chapter – American Academy of Pediatrics, Florida Academy of Physician Assistants, Florida Neurosurgical Society, Epilepsy Foundation of Florida, Florida Public Health Association, Florida Rural Health Association,
- Consumer and Business Organizations – Florida TaxWatch, Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, 4Generations Institute
- Providers – PHI Air Medical, Air Methods, Air Medical Group Holdings, Med-Trans Corporation, REACH Air Medical Services, Air Evac Lifeteam, Air Idaho Rescue, Air Life, Black Hills Life Flight, Life Saver, AirLIFE, ARCH, Tristate CareFlight, Life Flight, Mercy Air, MedFlight, Portneuf Air Rescue, Native Air, REACT, Guthrie Air, Saints Flight, University Hospitals MedEvac, Emory Flight, Tulsa Life Flight, StarCare, Wyoming Life Flight, WakeMed Critical Care Services
ABOUT S.O.A.R.
Save Our Air Medical Resources (S.O.A.R.) is a national campaign dedicated to preserving access to emergency air medical services for Americans across the country by providing important education and resources to the public and to key decision and policy makers. Air medical resources are a critical element of emergency response across the country, particularly for people living in rural areas where access to trauma care facilities is often quite limited.
