RCRC, along with a coalition of county and medical service partners, strongly oppose Assembly Bill 1168, authored by Assembly Member Steve Bennett. As recently amended, AB 1168 seeks to overturn an extensive statutory and case law record that has repeatedly affirmed county responsibility for the administration of emergency medical services and with that, the flexibility to design systems to equitably serve residents throughout their jurisdiction. 

AB 1168 undoes years of litigation and agreements between cities and counties regarding the provision of emergency medical services and as drafted causes a great deal of uncertainty for counties who are the responsible local government entity for providing equitable emergency medical services for all of their residents. As drafted, cities and fire districts could opt to back out of longstanding agreements with counties; counties would then be forced to open up already complex ambulance contracting processes while scrambling to provide continued services to impacted residents. Unfortunately, this measure creates a system where there will be haves and have nots – well-resourced cities or districts will be able to provide robust services whereas disadvantaged communities, with a less robust tax base, will have a patchwork of providers – the very problem the EMS Act, passed over 40 years ago, intended to resolve. 

RCRC is deeply alarmed by AB 1168 and the effort by the bill’s sponsors to dismantle state statute, regulations, and an extensive body of case law regarding the local oversight and provision of emergency medical services in California.  

We urge all counties to oppose AB 1186 because it would create a fragmented, inequitable patchwork of EMS medical practices (download sample letter here). The coalition's opposition letter is available here. AB 1168 will be heard in Assembly Health Committee on Tuesday, April 11th. For questions, or to provide RCRC with a copy of your opposition letter, please contact Policy Advocate Sarah Dukett