Rural Emergency Medical Services Support Act
The Rural Emergency Medical Services Support Act stabilizes and modernizes rural EMS systems by providing operational funding, workforce development pathways, and expanded service models. The Act supports volunteer and nonprofit providers, strengthens rural EMT and paramedic training pipelines, and allows community paramedicine programs to deliver preventive and follow-up care. Its goal is to ensure timely, reliable emergency response in underserved communities while adapting EMS systems to evolving rural health needs.
Key Provisions
Rural EMS Operational Funding Program: Creates a grant program to support volunteer and nonprofit EMS providers with equipment, staffing, and maintenance costs.
EMS Workforce Development Pipeline: Funds rural-focused paramedic and EMT training programs and scholarships for rural residents entering EMS careers.
Community Paramedicine Pilot Program: Establishes a demonstration program for EMS providers to deliver preventive, chronic care, and follow-up services in coordination with primary care providers.
EMS Provider Liability and Reimbursement Reform: Clarifies EMS scope of practice for non-emergency services and mandates Medicaid reimbursement for approved community paramedicine activities.
State EMS Infrastructure and Needs Assessment: Requires biennial statewide analysis of rural EMS coverage gaps, infrastructure deficits, and response time benchmarks.
Model Language
Section 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Rural Emergency Medical Services Support Act."
Section 2. Purpose. The purpose of this Act is to improve the accessibility, reliability, and modernization of emergency medical services in rural and frontier areas.
Section 3. Definitions.
(a) "Eligible EMS provider" means a licensed EMS agency primarily serving rural or frontier areas, including volunteer, nonprofit, and municipal services.
(b) "Department" means the state agency responsible for emergency medical services regulation.
(c) "Community paramedicine" means EMS-based delivery of non-emergency services such as home visits, chronic disease monitoring, and care coordination.
Section 4. Rural EMS Operational Funding Program.
(a) The Department shall establish a grant program to support operational costs of eligible EMS providers.
(b) Allowable uses include: (1) Purchase or maintenance of vehicles and equipment; (2) Training and certification of personnel; (3) Insurance, fuel, and administrative expenses.
(c) Priority shall be given to providers with service gaps or high per-capita coverage areas.
Section 5. EMS Workforce Development Pipeline.
(a) The Department shall fund rural EMS training initiatives including: (1) Scholarships for rural students entering EMT or paramedic training; (2) Tuition support for upskilling current volunteers; (3) High school EMS exposure and dual enrollment programs.
(b) Programs must include rural clinical placements and cultural competency training.
Section 6. Community Paramedicine Pilot Program.
(a) The Department shall authorize up to 10 pilot programs allowing EMS agencies to provide community paramedicine services.
(b) Permitted services may include: (1) Post-discharge follow-up visits; (2) Chronic care monitoring; (3) Preventive education and care coordination.
(c) Each pilot site must partner with at least one primary care provider.
Section 7. EMS Provider Liability and Reimbursement Reform.
(a) EMS providers participating in authorized community paramedicine programs shall be deemed to be acting within scope of practice.
(b) The state Medicaid agency shall reimburse EMS agencies for approved non-emergency services delivered under this Act.
(c) The Department shall develop applicable regulations and billing codes.
Section 8. State EMS Infrastructure and Needs Assessment.
(a) The Department shall conduct a statewide EMS needs assessment every two years to: (1) Identify rural coverage gaps and staffing shortages; (2) Evaluate infrastructure needs and aging vehicle fleets; (3) Report on regional response time metrics.
(b) The report shall be submitted to the Legislature and made publicly available.
Section 9. Severability. If any provision of this Act is held invalid, the remainder shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 10. Effective Date. This Act shall take effect on January 1 of the year following its enactment.