The Minnesota Senate recently passed a $30 million aid package for rural emergency medical services (EMS) with unanimous support. The bill provides $24 million in emergency aid for EMS providers who are focused on services in Greater Minnesota. Another $6 million is dedicated to an innovative sprint medic pilot program. 

“Our state has been facing an ongoing rural EMS crisis,” Sen. Justin Eichorn (R-Grand Rapids) said. “This package delivers access to these critical services for Minnesotans across the state and will be a lifeline that prioritizes our Greater Minnesota communities.” 

In the short term, the aid package will assist these services; however, the issue remains a federal issue with federal reimbursement rates failing to cover the full cost of care.  

The EMS aid package also includes a sprint medic pilot program, authorizing trained medical staff to be the first response and determining if an ambulance is necessary. This approach is more mobile, flexible, and can prevent unnecessary ambulance calls that ultimately may not be reimbursed. The program will help connect Minnesotans to care more quickly and ensure the correct level of care is provided. 

Additional reforms in the bill help 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.