On Monday, June 10, State Senator Jordan Rasmusson (R-Fergus Falls) along with State Representatives Jeff Backer (R-Browns Valley) and Tom Murphy (R-Underwood) hosted a town hall meeting on the $30 million rural emergency medical services (EMS) aid package recently passed by the Minnesota Legislature. This event–which took place in Elbow Lake at the Grant County Social Service Building–was attended by more than 50 community members, including local health care leaders, EMS providers and firefighters.
Sen. Rasmusson started off the meeting by providing an overview of the application process and deadlines for the $24 million in emergency assistance. This funding will support EMS providers who are focused on services in Greater Minnesota. As reported by the Star Tribune, Sen. Rasmusson created the mathematical formula to determine which districts will receive the money.
“Back in January, Representative Backer and I brought the EMS Task Force to Elbow Lake to hear from our community on ways to improve access to life-saving EMS care,” Sen. Rasmusson shared. “In the same room where we hosted the Task Force, I was grateful to share how our community’s feedback became law through the passage of a rural EMS aid package. This legislation serves as a lifeline for this critical service. The funding proposal is transparent and prioritizes rural communities that need the most help. I appreciate the collaborative nature of this legislation and the opportunity to work on this issue in a bipartisan manner.”
Additionally, Sen. Rasmusson provided details on the EMS pilot project component of the aid package. The legislation provides $6 million to launch sprint medic pilot programs in Otter Tail, Grant and St. Louis counties. The pilot program authorizes trained medical staff to be the first response and determine if an ambulance is necessary. To ensure geographic equity and rapid response, the sprint medic model aims to evenly distribute advanced life support coverage across all service areas. Perham Area EMS Director Rebecca Huebsch also shared an update on the work being done to launch the sprint medic approach locally.
Next, Rep. Backer gave an overview of the regulatory changes in the rural EMS aid package. With more than 29 years as a volunteer EMT with the Browns Valley Ambulance Service, Rep. Backer shared how he applied his first-hand experience to help address key issues facing the industry.
“Many thanks to everyone that attended our EMS Town Hall to discuss the ways we can maintain and improve access to emergency medical care in our communities and across Minnesota,” Rep. Jeff Backer said. “This year’s legislation was an important step in addressing the many serious and structural challenges facing this industry.”
The EMS aid package includes key regulatory reforms to address EMS staffing concerns in rural areas. The changes make it easier to be qualified or certified as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Emergency Medical Responder, or Ambulatory EMT. Additionally, the powers and duties of the EMS Regulatory Board are moved to a newly established Office of Emergency Medical Services.
Rep. Murphy shared his support for the work done this session to assist EMS providers, and he praised the positive impact the aid package will have in communities throughout Minnesota.
“Supporting our rural EMS providers continues to be a high priority as we look into the future of our great state,” Rep. Murphy noted. “It will take a comprehensive approach involving improvements to reimbursements and involvement with local stakeholders, but this funding is a great first step and I look forward to continuing to work needed to ensure every Minnesotan has the access they need in case of a medical emergency.”
With largely positive feedback, town hall attendees were appreciative of the support for rural EMS. It was stated by both legislators and attendees, however, that solving ongoing funding challenges will require additional work at the local, state and federal levels. Attendees emphasized the need for continued collaboration across communities and different levels of government to maintain and improve EMS services in the region.