A New Congress, A New Journey

On January 6, the legislative branch of the United States convened the first session of the 114th Congress, the two-year meeting term that follows the 2014 November U.S. House of Representatives elections. Any legislation (bill) introduced in the previous 113th Congress has been wiped clean from the slates, and all numbered titles (“H.R.” and “S.”) not signed into law, archived. While the process sounds a little permanent, it isn’t really the end. In the case of the Field EMS Bill (H.R. 809/S. 2400, introduced in 2013 and 2014, respectively), it is a fresh new beginning and one that begins with its reintroduction in the 114th Congress.

A Bill’s Journey

A bill’s journey from introduction to enactment changes with each new Congress, and follows a recurrent pattern. Along the way, components may be refined, added or removed for strength and broader support. Parts may also be stripped completely or appended to other bills. More than 10,000 bills were introduced in the 113th Congress, yet fewer than 200 were enacted. Many bills that are not signed into law during a particular congressional session are often reintroduced in the one that follows. They almost always receive new numbers, and sometimes the content or title may be changed when they are reintroduced. It’s not uncommon for a bill to be reintroduced multiple times, each to a different Congress, before any action is taken. Not all bills will be reintroduced to the 114th Congress, but we can expect a flurry of activity in the first few months—including the reintroduction of the Field EMS Bill.

Reintroduction of any legislation requires significant time and dedication. Most congressional offices plan their legislative agenda ahead of time, and will want plenty of time to build support and plan a press strategy for reintroduction. Some bills may not be reintroduced for many months, or until the second session (second year) of the 114th Congress. The main vehicle for making progress on an issue is to gain support—specifically, co-sponsorships by other members of Congress.

Reintroduction Process

The steps involved in the bill re­introduction process include the following:

• Confirm the commitment of original congressional bill sponsors, in both the U.S. House and Senate;
• Draft language for the bill in conjunction with stakeholders, staff of original congressional sponsors and legislative counsel;
• Introduce the bill in the U.S. House and Senate;
• Obtain a commitment from former co-sponsors and garner support from new co-sponsors;
• Obtain a commitment from former supporting organizations and new organizations;
• Create grassroots campaigns for constituents to educate and engage their members of Congress;
• Educate members of U.S. House and Senate committees with oversight of the bill; and
• Work with members of U.S. House and Senate committees to finalize the bill’s language.

Support the Field EMS Bill

Reintroduction of any bill is a team effort and involves working in collaboration with stakeholders and Congress. By advocating for Field EMS Bill reintroduction, you will be able to help rally original co-sponsors and build momentum for the bill’s new life in the 114th Congress. The success of the Field EMS Bill is highly contingent on the involvement of all of us in the EMS community. We must continue to educate those we have elected to Congress on the challenges plaguing EMS practitioners in an effort to ensure all those who need emergency medical care in the field can depend upon the highest quality of care and transport.

Attend EMS On The Hill Day April 29, 2015 (and briefing April 28)

There has never been a more compelling time for all EMS professionals to educate our nation’s elected leaders on the important role of EMS in an integrated healthcare system, and on the challenges placed on EMS by increased demands of preparedness without funding provisions. EMS On The Hill Day, hosted by NAEMT, is a unique opportunity for EMS providers to communicate directly to those elected to serve the interests of our states and communities. Meetings with your U.S. senators and house representatives are scheduled for you as part of a state delegation. For first-time attendees, the EMS On The Hill Day Welcome Guide provides a step-by-step overview of what to expect, along with tips for a successful experience.

To find out more about the Field EMS Bill, EMS On the Hill Day and advocating for EMS, visit the Advocacy section of the NAEMT website at www.naemt.org.

Melissa Trumbull is industry relations manager for NAEMT, and Lisa Tofil is a partner with Holland & Knight.