posted December 13, 2024

Assemblymember Carrie Woerner Sees Firsthand the Critical Role of Air Medical Services

SELKIRK, NY, Dec. 13, 2024 – Assemblymember Carrie Woerner (D-NY District 113) spent the afternoon on Wednesday with the dedicated air medical crew of LifeNet of New York at their Selkirk base to gain a firsthand understanding of the lifesaving care they provide across the region and how her co-sponsored legislation in 2021 helped save the lives of thousands.

            Her visit included a tour of the helicopter, where Pilot Chuck Rodda, Flight Nurse Kyle Daley, Flight Paramedic Mark Foster, and Mechanics Tom Heller and Dillon Hack, walked her through their day-to-day operations and the specialized emergency medical equipment inside the aircraft that makes rapid response and patient transport possible. Woerner expressed her admiration for their work and emphasized the importance of the state’s 2021 legislation, which allowed air medical crews to carry and administer blood during flights, dramatically improving patient outcomes.

“We do a lot of legislation in New York every session, but I have to say there are few times when I can legitimately say we saved lives because of what we did,” said Woerner. “To hear from the flight team how the bill has positively impacted patients is something I’m incredibly proud of and to hear how it’s working out is a bow on the Christmas gift.”

Carrying blood with the ability to administer it at the scene or in flight has proven to be a critical, lifesaving pre-hospital resource. Since the bill was passed, LifeNet has administered more than 1,300 units of blood statewide, providing better patient outcomes. Receiving blood during pre-hospital care is critical for patients suffering from trauma or hemorrhagic shock. It is particularly valuable in rural areas where there may be limited access to donated blood.

“We were thankful for the opportunity to meet Assemblymember Woerner and to thank her for her service,” said Flight Nurse Daley. “Woerner has made a difference in the ability for us to provide the best critical care to the state with the ability to carry blood.”

Demonstrating a cohesive EMS ecosystem, LifeNet partners, Greenport Rescue Squad, Inc., Green County Paramedics, and Albany Medical Center joined the Assemblymember’s visit, allowing Woerner to better understand how air medical services complement ground transport and how both work with healthcare facilities for effective patient care. The group discussed shared challenges, such as low reimbursement rates, and how further legislative support can improve healthcare systems for both air and ground ambulance services.

“We extend our sincere gratitude to Assemblymember Woerner for her leadership and to the state legislature for their pivotal role in passing the air medical blood legislation two years ago,” said Greenport Rescue Squad Inc. Executive Director Aidan O’Connor. “This groundbreaking legislation allowed LifeNet of New York to carry and administer life-saving blood, which also set the foundation for ground EMS agencies like ours to follow suit. This collaborative effort makes air medical and ground EMS services more aligned than ever, ensuring the most integrated and effective patient care possible.”

Synthesizing her visit at the base, Woerner said, “Healthcare is clearly a sum of parts. When one gear isn’t working, whether it’s not funded well or because there isn’t enough staff, it ripples through the system ultimately impacting patient care. The whole system must work together to be efficient. We can’t just fix one piece. As we go into this next legislative session, I’m committed to focusing on all gears to ensure patient care remains a priority.”

For more than 30 years, the LifeNet of New York program has been a trusted provider of air medical services, transporting over 65,000 patients across the state. As part of Air Methods, the leading air medical provider in the United States, LifeNet offers both rotor wing and fixed wing services through 12 bases across the state. This network of care ensures that patients can be transported rapidly to the appropriate medical facility, no matter their location or medical needs.

LifeNet’s air medical teams consist of highly trained professionals who deliver the highest level of care in emergency situations, playing a crucial role in both rural and urban areas where timely medical intervention can be a matter of life and death.

Air Methods is committed to providing air medical services to all members of the communities they serve and are in-network with most major health insurance providers for emergency air medical services. Additionally, their patient advocacy program works with all patients, regardless of insurance, to ensure affordability.