Sponsors (27)
Official title: To preserve access to emergency medical services.
Introduced March 18, 2025 by Marie Gluesenkamp Perez · Last progress March 18, 2025
The bill directs federal resources and programs to expand and modernize the EMS workforce—boosting recruitment, training, veteran transitions, and rural emergency capacity—while imposing modest recurring federal costs, administrative burdens, and risks of uneven access or short-term operational strain for providers.
Veterans, prospective EMTs/paramedics, and local EMS agencies will get direct federal financial support (grants up to $50M/year plus $20M/year for veterans) to lower certification, training, and apprenticeship costs and speed workforce entry.
Rural (and other underserved) communities will gain improved emergency care access as more certified EMTs/paramedics are recruited and trained, strengthening local response capacity and preparedness.
EMS workforce supports for mental health and wellness aim to reduce burnout and turnover among paramedics and EMTs, improving retention and on-the-job safety.
Taxpayers fund ongoing federal spending (notably the $50M/year program plus $20M/year for veterans and up to 10% admin), creating a recurring budgetary cost and opportunity cost versus other priorities.
Recipients and state agencies face added administrative and reporting burdens to manage grants, run sub-grant programs, and submit evaluations, increasing implementation workload and costs.
Program design features (20% rural set-aside, prioritized groups, and $1,000,000 grant cap) can leave smaller non-rural agencies, large multi-year regional initiatives, or non-priority groups with less access to funds.
Based on analysis of 5 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes federal grants to recruit/train EMTs and paramedics, funds veteran transition to civilian certification, and directs a workforce study; funds authorized for FY2026–2030.
Creates two federal grant programs and a workforce study to address shortages of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics. One program funds recruitment, training, apprenticeships, certification help, technology-enhanced education, and mental-health support for EMS agencies nationwide (with set priorities and a rural minimum); the second helps States cover transition costs so veterans with military EMT/paramedic training can obtain civilian certification and licensure. The bill also directs a Labor-HHS coordinated study of EMT/paramedic job supply and demand and authorizes recurring funding for FY2026–2030.