Minnesota Lawmakers Debate Funding for Strained Emergency Medical Services

(KNSI) — Emergency medical services personnel are lobbying lawmakers to fully fund what they call a critical $120 million shortfall.

The Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities represents over 100 cities in 80 counties in outstate Minnesota and says with an aging population in many rural areas, combined with the impacts of inflation, workforce recruitment and retention challenges, and a decreasing value in Medicare/Medicaid reimbursements for services, many small ambulance services are facing life-or-death decisions with respect to continued operations.

House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) called it an unprescedented crisis that “threatens the very foundation of our emergency response system and puts the lives of Minnesotans at risk.”

Lawmakers put together a bi-partisan EMS Task Force to look closely at the issue and review related reports from the Office of the Legislative Auditor, host meetings in greater Minnesota to receive testimony from the public and stakeholders on the state of emergency medical services in different regions across the state, plus current and foreseeable needs and review the system’s obstacles.

One of the members is Representative Jeff Backer (R-Browns Valley) who has been a volunteer EMT since 1995. He says the funding will serve as the “critical bridge” life-saving services need in order to stay afloat while the legislature continues its work on long-term, structural changes to the industry.

He said “everyone expects timely and professional service when they dial 911, without this funding, the wellbeing of thousands of Minnesotans and their loved ones will be put at risk as more services close in the very near future. This is a crisis, and we cannot wait any longer.”

According to the Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board, staffing challenges, burnout and low pay are driving many certified EMTs out of the field. Representative Dave Lislegard (D-Aurora) says the system is failing to a point of near collapse.

Spending targets turned in by Democrats and agreed to by Governor Tim Walz include $16 million, but Demuth balked at the amount calling it a fraction of what is needed. She also pointed to the $730 million they’re spending to remodel their office building saying it’s “time to prioritize the lives of Minnesotans over frivolous spending like a palace for politicians.”

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