Minnesota Legislature Advances Measures to Address Strained Emergency Medical Services

(KNSI) — Funding for Minnesota’s strained emergency medical services appears to be on track for passage this session.

The House passed legislation co-authored by St. Cloud area Representative Dan Wolgamott to create the Office of Emergency Medical Services. A 2022 report from the Office of Legislative Auditor showed that emergency ambulance services lacked sufficient oversight, had outdated service areas, and were deemed unsustainable. The Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board leadership was also described as “ineffective.”

The Office of Emergency Medical Services would replace the EMSRB with the transition taking place on January 1st.

“Response times for medical emergencies can mean the difference between life and death,” said Rep. Wolgamott. “By creating an Office of Emergency Medical Services, we can establish emergency response units focused on improving response times and saving lives through every corner of our state.”

Meanwhile, St. Cloud area Senator Aric Putnam authored a bill with a provision to provide funding for an emergency medical services education facility at Apollo High School. The $250,000 grant would go to the St. Cloud Area School District and was included in the Senate Education Supplemental Budget bill. It would address the current shortage of EMS workers and help train and prepare high school students to fill these jobs.

“There is an EMS crisis in central Minnesota,” said Senator Putnam. “The best way to address this crisis is to implement an EMS training facility in our school district to give students a pathway towards EMS careers directly out of high school. I have been working with our friends at CentraCare, Mayo Clinic, and the St. Cloud Area School District to make this program a reality.”

It passed 34-30 and moves to a conference committee.

Last month, EMS personnel lobbied lawmakers to fully fund what they call a critical $120 million shortfall.

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