From October 04, 2022 post.

Last week, Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) introduced the bipartisan Supporting Our First Responders Act that would help emergency medical services (EMS) agencies with hiring and retention, training reimbursements, facility upgrades, and more.

"Rural EMS teams go above and beyond to ensure that folks can get emergency care no matter where they live, and too often, they don't have the resources necessary to do their jobs," said Rep. Axne (IA-03). "The Supporting Our First Responders Act will invest in these heroes so they're able to continue serving our communities, and I'm grateful to join my colleagues in this effort."

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, fatality rates among paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) were highest across all healthcare workers at approximately 14 deaths per 100,000 workers during the height of the COVID pandemic. Together, the pressures of the pandemic and ongoing opioid and mental health epidemics, combined with low pay and/or poor benefits, have contributed to an overall 30% turnover rate of full and part-time EMTs and paramedics across the country. 

These staffing shortages, combined with skyrocketing costs to purchase equipment and fuel, are forcing EMS agencies to make difficult decisions including whether to reduce or even cease operations. As more agencies shut down, remaining agencies are required to cover larger areas, leaving families without immediate assistance in their greatest moment of need when timing can mean life or death. These matters pose the greatest threat to rural communities where families are likely to wait twice as long as those living in urban areas.

The Supporting Our First Responders Act would:

1. Authorize $50 million per year for five years to establish a grant program under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) which would allow public, private, and nonprofit EMS agencies that provide medical services to apply for grants to: 
   1. Hire, recruit, and retain trained medical personnel
   2. Support the well-being of EMS personnel
   3. Provide reimbursement for required training
   4. Modify existing facilities
   5. Purchase new equipment, medication, and vehicles
2. Set aside 20% of grant funding for rural EMS agencies
3. Authorize $5 million in technical assistance to assist EMS agencies with navigating grant processes.
4. Require the Secretary of HHS to provide Congress a report detailing the challenges, disparities, and inadequacies in providing federal and private reimbursement for EMS and recommend action.
5. Require the Secretary of HHS to provide Congress a report detailing the challenges specific to rural EMS departments and to nonaffiliated EMS departments, then develop action plans to address those challenges through grants and other administrative action. 

“EMS responders are there when we need them, often first on the scene, and willing to put their lives and their families’ well-being on the line to help keep our neighbors and loved ones safe during an emergency,” said Rep. Kim (NJ-03). “Despite the glamor portrayed on TV, the day-to-day reality of responding to calls without the equipment and staff they need is a reality rarely seen by people in our community. With our bill, we’re taking steps to support our first responders by making sure they have the resources, staffing, training, equipment, and most importantly the mental and physical healthcare support they need. I’m proud to introduce this bill in a bipartisan way and hope my colleagues in both parties can agree that we need to strengthen our support for the brave EMS workers on the front lines every single day.”

“In rural Oklahoma, our EMS providers are often the difference between life and death, and ours are in a crisis,” said Rep. Mullin (OK-02). “Oklahomans cannot simply live without these safety net providers. And with no current federal funding stream for EMS, despite these heroes working day-in on the frontlines, our communities are abandoned. I am proud to support this bill to ensure those in Oklahoma continue to have access to high-quality health care.” 

The Supporting Our First Responders Act is endorsed by the National Association of EMTs (NAEMT) and the American Ambulance Association (AAA).

Rep. Axne introduced the bill with Reps. Andy Kim (NJ-03), Markwayne Mullin (OK-02), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Al Lawson, (FL-05), Bruce Westerman (AR-04), and Mike Carey (OH-15).

“EMS organizations across the U.S. are struggling to hire paramedics and EMTs, and cover the increasing cost of equipment and supplies,” said Shawn Baird, President of the American Ambulance Association. “The Supporting Our First Responders Act by Congressmen Kim, Congressman Mullin, Congresswoman Axne, Congressman Veasey, Congressman Lawson, Congressman Westerman, and Congressman Carey recognizes the vital role that all ground ambulance service organizations play as medical first responders and would provide a critical down payment to grantees to help ensure their communities have access to vital EMS resources”

“Communities across the country are struggling to keep their ambulance services operating because of the crisis level workforce shortage,” said Bruce Evans, President of the National Association of EMTs (NAEMT). “Many services have had to close. We appreciate Congressman Kim and other Members of Congress working to address this crisis.”

Rep. Axne previously led the successful effort to ensure emergency medical treatment provided by EMS and firefighters was reimbursed by Medicare during the pandemic, which was passed into law in the American Rescue Plan. She has also introduced bipartisan legislation to provide affordable housing options for volunteer first responders.

Original source can be found here