2012 AAMS Spring Conference
"Leadership and Advocacy"
March 13-15, 2012
Politics teaches us one very important lesson: Decisions are made by those who show up!
Each year since 1994, the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) conducts a legislative and government relations conference that focuses on the needs and issues of the critical care transport community as they relate to the federal government and the United States Congress. The spring legislative conference is a critical component of AAMS’ advocacy efforts. AAMS needs your participation in order to strengthen its efforts in advocating on your behalf.
Everyday in Washington, lawmakers and federal administrators make decisions that can have profound effects on patient care, flight regulations, hospital and EMS administration, funding and reimbursement. Developing new relationships and strengthening old ties with your lawmakers and their staff is the most critical component of the AAMS Spring Conference; it is a rare opportunity to inform and educate our nation's leaders on the unique needs and fundamental necessity of the air medical and critical care ground community.
AAMS gives its members the tools and knowledge necessary to be effective advocates as they engage their lawmakers on the issues affecting critical care transport around the country; we call it Flight Suit/Uniform Day on the Hill.
In addition to grassroots lobbying, the AAMS Spring Conference also offers the opportunity to receive the most recent updates on safety, reimbursement, and other “hot” issues straight from senior policymakers and educated professionals. Get up to date on the latest issues, new policies, rules, and regulations straight from the source, Washington, DC.
Who should participate...
All personnel with AAMS member companies will benefit from the AAMS Spring Conference - including associate, affiliate and personal members. The information learned, the advocacy tools gained, and the relationships established will help anyone become a more knowledgeable and active member of their company. And remember: the Congressman that represents where you live may not be the Congressman that represents the district where you work. Several members of your organization may have an impact on different Congressional offices. Every vote counts! If you’re concerned about federal EMS policy, this is your chance to be heard!
We need your voice in Washington - please join us, or consider sending a representative(s) from your organization to the AAMS Spring Conference this year.
*** The AAMS Spring Conference has a NEW format this year - the schedule has been streamlined to a Tuesday through Thursday format in order to separate it from the weekend. We'll begin at 1 pm on Tuesday, March 13th and end at noon on Thursday, March 15th in an effort to make travel easier in and out of Washington DC. We recognize that everyone’s time is valuable, and we think you will find this new format to be more accommodating and enjoyable! ***
Conference Schedule
Tuesday, March 13th
1230-1300h
New Attendee Orientation (optional)
Greg Lynskey, AAMS Government Relations Manager
1300-1315h
Welcome Remarks / Conference Overview
Tim Pickering, AAMS President & Greg Lynskey, AAMS Staff
1315-1400h
Session 1: NEMSIS and the Future of Transport Data Collection & Compliance
Dr. Clay Mann
This year the AAMS Spring Conference will feature speaker, Dr. Clay Mann, Principal Investigator for the NEMSIS (National EMS Information Systems) Technical Assistance Center. It’s widely recognized that NEMSIS data collection is problematic for Air Medical providers operating in multiple states, or even within a single state. These issues result in non-compliance, duplicate compliance, disruption of licensure, and require air ambulance providers to constantly adapt to each individual state’s data collection tools independently of adjacent states. The NEMSIS Technical Advisory Committee recognizes this and is interested in engaging stakeholders to address these issues which will soon be required to maintain licensure. In addition, the FAA and other Federal entities have overlapping and additional data requirements coming that may need to be coupled with this effort to streamline compliance. AAMS members should definitely become familiar with the NEMSIS 3.0 requirements and implementation time lines.
1400-1445h
Session 2: Judy Tells It Like It Is - Congress Behind Closed Doors
Judy Schneider
She's baaaaack! Judy Schneider, a conference favorite from years past, will be back in 2012 to inform and entertain Spring Conference attendees about the inner workings of Congress. Schneider is well known on Capitol Hill by Members of Congress, staff, lobbyists and others as "THE person" for information on numerous topics including House, Senate and Committee Procedure. You’ll undoubtedly hear things you’d never expect to hear about our Government, delivered with Judy’s signature hilarious flair.
1445-1500h BREAK
1500-1545h
Session 3: Insider Overview of the Congressional Air Medical Caucus
AAMS is proud to be the sole sponsor of the Congressional Air Medical Caucus. It is an important asset to AAMS advocacy efforts as we continually seek to represent the needs of the community before the nation’s top policy makers. This bi-partisan caucus, co-chaired by Representatives Pete Sessions (R-TX) and Dennis Cardoza (D-CA), brings together the most ardent supporters of the air medical community in the House for information sharing and collaborative opportunities. The two primary staff persons for the caucus will join us to share their perspective on the caucus. Towner French, Deputy Chief of Staff for Rep. Sessions, and Estakio Beltran, Legislative Assistant for Rep. Cardoza, will discuss the role of caucuses in the House, their perspective and vision on the Air Medical Caucus, and how they can use the caucus to the benefit of the air medical community. This will be prove to be an important primer as we take to the Hill the next day to talk to our representatives and look to expand membership in the caucus.
1545-1645h
Issues Briefing / Hill Day Prep
An open forum discussion during which attendees are prepped for Wednesday's Capitol Hill visits - current issues facing emergency medical transport will be discussed. In addition, AAMS staff will provide a re-cap of government relations activities this past year, as well as seek attendee feedback on a burgeoning public education / grassroots lobbying idea for EMS Week 2012, May 20-26th.
1700-1900h
Welcome Reception
Wednesday, March 14th - Flight Suit Day on Capitol Hill
All Day
Hill Visits
It's time to engage in our Hill Day activities! While the Senate will be in session, the House is scheduled to be in recess for a District Work Period that week. This actually presents us with a unique opportunity! Previous experience has shown that when the House is in recess, House staffers are far less pressed for time resulting in longer and more productive interaction. Let's embrace this opportunity to forge and strengthen these valuable relationships, promote our community, and demonstrate the critical life-saving role our community plays within the nation’s healthcare safety net. Please contact Greg Lynskey, AAMS Government Relations Manager, for help to schedule your Hill Visits ahead of time - glynskey@aams.org or (703) 836-8732 x111.
1500-1700h
Congressional Reception
Sponsored by
One of the highlight events of the AAMS Spring Conference is the Congressional Reception, held in the South Congressional Meeting Room at the Capitol Visitors Center on Capitol Hill. During the reception, we will honor the 2012 recipients of the AAMS Public Service Award and the AAMS Excellence in Community Service Award.
Thursday, March 15h
0800-0900h
Attendee Breakfast
0900-0945h
Hill Visit Review and Next Steps
0945-1030h
Session 4: Designation of a Lead Federal Agency for EMS: What's in the Works, What Would It Mean!?
Gregg Lord
Gregg Lord, Director of the Emergency Care Coordination Center (ECCC), located within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Preparedness and Response at HHS, will discuss the latest activities of the ECCC and in, particular, the efforts within the Administration to designate a lead federal agency for EMS.
1030-1115h
Session 5: HOT TOPIC!
1115-1130h
Closing Remarks and Adjournment
Tim Pickering, AAMS President & Greg Lynskey, AAMS Staff
Hotel Accommodations
Hilton Crystal City at Washington Reagan National Airport
2399 Jefferson Davis Highway
Arlington, VA 22202
Phone: (703) 414-0564
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