Legislation helps life-saving services in rural Minnesota (2024)

ST. PAUL, MN —State Representative Jeff Backer, R-Browns Valley, and Senator Jordan Rasmusson, R-Fergus Falls, introduced legislation last week that addresses the financial crisis impacting Emergency Medical Services (EMS) across Greater Minnesota.

Backer is a volunteer EMT with the Browns Valley Ambulance Service and currently serves on the EMS Task Force with Rasmusson.

“The outdated and inadequate ‘fee-for-service’ model that has been in operation for years is no longer working,” said Backer in a news release. “There are significant structural changes needed to secure the long-term viability of these life-saving services for Minnesotans in rural parts of our state. Our proposal would address the budget shortfalls that exist right now and allocate this funding in a fair manner across the state. The funding formula established in this bill provides a more balanced and fair approach to make sure private, volunteer, and public operators receive the funding in an equitable manner.”

Senate File 5433 / House File 5399 allocates $120 million to address the funding shortfalls that have put access to EMS and ambulance services in jeopardy for millions of Minnesotans across the state, the two lawmakers said. Without action, many small ambulance services will cease operations and communities will no longer be serviced by a local EMS operator, they added.

“There’s no doubt that structural changes to the entire EMS model are badly needed,” continued Backer. “Those structural adjustments and the conversations around these changes can happen in the future. With EMS operators in crisis, we need to get this emergency funding to them right now.”

The bill was formally introduced in the Senate on Monday, April 15, and referred to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. In the House, it was introduced on Thursday, April 17, and referred to the House Health Finance and Policy Committee.

“During the interim, I served as a member of the EMS Task Force and heard from Minnesotans about the challenges facing these vital services,” Rasmusson said. “We learned from community leaders about how the current EMS funding model is not working in our rural communities. That is why we must bridge the funding gap and provide a lifeline for this critical service. This funding proposal is transparent and prioritizes rural communities who need the most help. In the final weeks of session, we will continue to advocate for EMS funding.”

Al Edenloff is the editor of the twice-weekly Echo Press. He started his journalism career when he was in 10th grade, writing football and basketball stories for the Parkers Prairie Independent.