EMSA budget requests focus on fleet and IT; lawmakers press agency on overdue ambulance‑rate reports

Gabrielle Santore of the Emergency Medical Services Authority summarized three budget change proposals: a one‑time general‑fund augmentation of $2.55 million for disaster medical fleet replacements, $250,000 for initial IT security activities, and funding for four positions (roughly $1.37 million) for human resources, enforcement and legal workload.

Assemblymembers raised AB 716, which requires EMSA to report allowable maximum rates for ground ambulance transportation statewide. Santore confirmed EMSA remains committed to the reporting requirement, said resources to implement the work were included in the 2024 budget act but removed in the 2025 efficiency reductions, and that EMSA is administratively working to comply absent the prior resources.

Stakeholders at public comment urged timely reporting and monitoring of ground ambulance costs as part of the state’s health care affordability efforts.