Bill Provides Funding for Delaware Volunteer Ambulance, EMS Firms

New legislation being signed by Gov. Jack Markell will boost the coffers of Delaware’s volunteer ambulance and emergency medical services companies.

One bill to be signed Wednesday establishes a new $10 fee on all motor vehicle violations, with the money going from driver’s wallets to volunteer ambulance companies statewide.

Another bill increases the share of the gross premium tax on health insurance companies that is distributed to volunteer fire companies from 0.15 percent to 0.21 percent.

The final piece of legislation requires Delaware health insurance policies to cover the costs of ambulance runs and associated basic life support services provided by volunteer ambulance companies.

The bills arose from complaints by representatives of the state’s politically powerful volunteer fire companies that many have been losing money on ambulance and EMS services.