Sponsors (27)
The bill pairs data, targeted federal grants, and training supports to reduce EMS workforce shortages (especially in rural areas and for veterans), but it requires new federal spending, adds administrative burdens, and its funding design and potential regulatory responses could leave some providers or veterans unevenly served.
Hospitals, local governments, and EMS planners get clear, data-driven recognition and projections of an EMT/paramedic shortfall (including a projected 42,000 shortfall by 2030), enabling targeted policy, funding, and training responses.
Rural EMS agencies will receive federal grant funding to recruit and train EMTs/paramedics, improving local emergency-care access in underserved areas.
Veterans who completed military EMT/paramedic training will get federal grant support (up to $20M/year) to cover testing, licensure, and training costs, easing and accelerating their transition into civilian EMS jobs.
Taxpayers will fund new, ongoing federal spending (roughly $50M/year for the workforce program plus $20M/year for veteran grants, with up to 10% administrative costs), representing an opportunity cost versus other priorities.
States and grant recipients will face additional administrative and reporting burdens to administer sub-grants and meet program evaluations, increasing overhead for already stretched agencies.
Program design features (20% rural set-aside, prioritized groups, and $1,000,000 grant caps) may leave some non-rural small agencies underfunded and constrain large regional or multi-year workforce initiatives.
Based on analysis of 5 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes federal grants and a workforce study to recruit/train EMTs and paramedics, fund veteran credentialing transitions, and report workforce needs for 2025–2034.
Introduced March 18, 2025 by Marie Gluesenkamp Perez · Last progress March 18, 2025
Creates federal grant programs and a workforce study to help recruit, train, and credential emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics, and to ease the transition of military-trained medics into civilian EMS roles. The bill funds a nationwide EMS workforce shortage pilot grant program, a state demonstration program to cover transition costs for veteran medics seeking civilian certification, and a Labor-Department-led study of EMT/paramedic supply and demand, with reporting requirements to Congress and public reporting. Funds are authorized for FY2026–2030: $50 million per year for the EMS pilot grants and $20 million per year for the veterans transition grants; grants prioritize youth recruitment, veterans, small/rural agencies, and include caps, reporting, and allowable uses such as training, apprenticeships, credentialing fees, tech-enabled education, and wellness programs.