Essay
I think this bill helps in a multitude of ways. This bill adds comfort to emergency vehicle providers. When gas prices are volatile as they are in this day and age being able to know your business isn't going to go under because volatile gas prices are a positive.
Another reason is similar to the last but from the user's perspective. This bill means that you can be a little bit more comfortable in knowing that if you need to use an emergency vehicle it will be there for you. It targets super-rural communities (towns under 1000) the most which is where this security is needed. I am a part of the over a million persons using medical assistance who can feel just a bit safer with this bill in place.
You might ask “How is this going to be tracked and changed?” or “How fast does the state react to a change in price?”. This bill proposes a tie to the EIA (Energy Information Administration) database and adjusts itself in a timely manner.
This bill does have some flaws though. As this system is more autonomous the state has little control over the reimbursement given which could lead to unexpected drains from the MA (Medical Assistance) program budget. The auto adjustment could also create more work in billing and administrative systems.
Andrea.steen. “Financial Reports and Forecasts.” Minnesota Department of Human Services, 9 Mar. 2016, mn.gov/dhs/general-public/publications-forms-resources/reports/financial-reports-and-forecasts.jsp. Accessed 25 Oct. 2024.
“Gas Station Price Charts - Local & National Historical Average Trends.” Gas Station Price Charts - Local & National Historical Average Trends - GasBuddy.Com, www.gasbuddy.com/charts. Accessed 25 Oct. 2024.
“HF 196.” HF 196 as Introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024), 28 Feb. 2024, www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF0196&version=latest&session=92&session_number=0&session_year=2023. Accessed 25 Oct. 2024.
