Though many may have seen the extreme discontent in the final hours of session, there was one thing that I wanted to take a moment to highlight, and that is a much-needed Emergency Medical Services (EMS) package that passed with unanimous bipartisan support.

I’m sure many have heard about the struggles facing our rural EMS providers throughout the state. It’s been an ongoing issue, and throughout the last few years, there has been a strong legislative push to address the funding and personnel shortfalls. Throughout the interim, a bipartisan EMS Task Force met regularly to discuss findings and solutions. One main point they investigated was how the state can improve on these services, and how they can do so without causing further strain on the workers in the industry.

In 2022, this issue came to a head when the Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA) released an evaluation report on Emergency Ambulance Services throughout Minnesota. In that report, they raised serious concerns regarding ambulance services, and the effectiveness of the Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board (EMSRB). They had many findings, but three stuck out: “Ambulance services face persistent staffing challenges across the state,” “EMSRB has been largely ineffective in its regulation and support of ambulance services in Minnesota,” and “ambulance services with low numbers of ambulance runs may not receive enough revenue from billing patients to cover their costs.”

In response to the report, the legislative task force put together recommendations. They suggested elevating the EMSRB to a commission or board that reports to the Governor, increased Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement rates for ambulance services, a streamlined process for both EMS Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic license renewals, and funding for a “Sprint Medic” model to decrease strain on the industry. It was found that it would take about $120 million to fully address the problem. Unfortunately, despite the findings and the task force’s recommendations. the Governor only allocated $16 million his budget.

Despite the mismatch in proposed solutions, the legislature came together on this one issue. We were able to pass a $30 million aid package that includes $24 million in emergency aid for EMS providers, and $6 million for an innovative sprint medic pilot program. This aid will provide a lifeline to a struggling industry that has been doing its best to help Minnesotans. Though it will help, further aid will be necessary as we move forward. The state can only supplement funding for rural EMS providers, and the majority of funding remains a federal issue, as reimbursement rates are failing to cover the cost of care.

This is a temporary solution to a larger problem that will need revisiting. Despite the partisanship that took place at the end of Session, I’m glad this was an issue we could come together on. EMS providers offer critical care and services to greater Minnesota, and they deserve our continued assistance and support.