Ambulance Crews Threatened with Loss of Funding

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Sen. Charles Schumer warns that ambulance crews are threatened with the loss of critical funding.

At stake is $40 million in Medicaid payments statewide used to pay for ambulance services. He says that critical funding will expire January 1 if Congress doesn't act first. The Democrat says that without action, urban ambulances will lose 2% of their federal funding and rural services will lose 3%. Schumer says the funding is vital and is proposing a five-year extension.

An officer with the American Ambulance Association says the funding is needed for financial stability and to replace old equipment and update technology.