Supporting Life Saving EMS Services in Rural Minnesota
In rural Minnesota, emergency medical services carry an enormous responsibility. In District 12B and across Greater Minnesota, ambulance crews often cover long distances, respond to fewer calls, and operate on tighter budgets than urban providers. Despite these challenges, they remain the lifeline for our communities when seconds matter most.
The Legislature approved a one time aid package of $30 million last year to support rural EMS services. That funding provided real relief to many agencies that were struggling just to keep their doors open. It helped, but it was not a permanent fix. Rural EMS leaders continue to warn that they face major financial pressures that cannot be solved with temporary dollars alone.
We need a stable and sustainable funding model for rural EMS. That includes predictable state support, better reimbursement for services that rely heavily on Medicare and Medicaid, and investment in the people who answer these life saving calls. Recruiting and retaining EMTs and paramedics is especially difficult in rural areas, and we cannot afford to lose the dedicated professionals who serve our region.
It would also be beneficial to expand training opportunities for students who are interested in EMS careers. Strong workforce pipelines will help ensure that every community, no matter its size, continues to have access to emergency medical care.
This is a community priority. Families deserve to know that help will arrive quickly in a crisis. Rural life works only when essential services are strong and dependable. I am committed to securing stable, long term EMS funding so residents across the state have reliable emergency care when they need it.
By Rep. Ron Kresha, District 10A