ST. PAUL, MN — State Representative Jeff Backer of Browns Valley and Senator Jordan Rasmusson of Fergus Falls this week introduced legislation that addresses the financial crisis impacting Emergency Medical Services (EMS) across Greater Minnesota.
Representative Backer is a volunteer EMT with the Browns Valley Ambulance Service and currently serves on the EMS Task Force with Senator Rasmusson.
“The outdated and inadequate ‘fee-for-service’ model that has been in operation for years is no longer working,” said Backer. “There are significant structural changes needed to secure the long-term viability of these life-saving services for Minnesotans in rural parts of our state. Our proposal would address the budget shortfalls that exist right now and allocate this funding in a fair manner across the state. The funding formula established in this bill provides a more balanced and fair approach to make sure private, volunteer, and public operators receive the funding in an equitable manner.”
Senate File 5433 / House File 5399 allocates $120 million to address the funding shortfalls that have put access to EMS and ambulance services in jeopardy for millions of Minnesotans across the state.
It is believed by EMS stakeholders that without action, many small ambulance services will cease operations and communities will no longer be serviced by a local EMS operator.
“There’s no doubt that structural changes to the entire EMS model are badly needed,” continued Backer. “Those structural adjustments and the conversations around these changes can happen in the future. With EMS operators in crisis, we need to get this emergency funding to them right now.”
“During the interim, I served as a member of the EMS Task Force and heard from Minnesotans about the challenges facing these vital services,” Rasmusson said. “We learned from community leaders about how the current EMS funding model is not working in our rural communities. That is why we must bridge the funding gap and provide a lifeline for this critical service. This funding proposal is transparent and prioritizes rural communities who need the most help. In the final weeks of session, we will continue to advocate for EMS funding.”
Republicans have questioned Democrats’ priorities for putting only 16 million dollars in the supplemental state budget, when EMS stakeholders say 120 million is needed.
Rosemount Democrat John Huot responds that EMS stakeholders have not said *how* 120 million dollars would actually fix the problem – but that he’s willing to work on a plan with “guardrails.”
Huot says, “We just can’t be writing checks. I mean, I’m sorry, that’s not the way this can work.”
The bill was formally introduced in the Senate on Monday, April 15, and referred to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.
In the House, it was introduced on Thursday, April 17, and referred to the House Health Finance and Policy Committee.