St. Paul, MN - Today the Minnesota House of Representatives passed House File 4738, legislation co-authored by Rep. Dan Wolgamott (DFL - St. Cloud) that would create a new Office of Emergency Medical Services as a state agency in Minnesota. The office’s responsibilities would replace those of the Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board.
“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.”
In 2022, the Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA) released an evaluation report regarding emergency ambulance services showing insufficient oversight, outdated service areas, persistent sustainability challenges, and ineffective Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board (EMSRB) leadership. Under the bill, the Office of Emergency Medical Services will replace the EMSRB with a transition taking place Jan. 1, 2025.
The new office would be home to three divisions: the Medical Services Division, the Ambulance Services Division, and the Emergency Medical Service Providers Division. The legislation also creates an Alternative EMS Response Model Pilot Program. Under the pilot, primary ambulance providers in certain rural areas would be allowed to partner with supporting providers to provide expanded life support intercept capability.
Having passed the House, the bill now goes to the Senate. Video of the floor debate can be found here.
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