St. Paul, Minn. – Minnesota Governor Tim Walz yesterday signed into law Rep. John Huot’s bill to allow trained emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to provide community follow up home care for patients after emergency room visits. Current law permits paramedics, but not EMTs to carry out this practice. Rep. Huot’s legislation also expands paramedics’ ability to use now incorporate telemedicine as a part of their practice.
The bipartisan measure would help ensure Minnesotans are safe upon returning home from the hospital and can avoid oftentimes unnecessary repeat hospital visits, ambulance rides, and medical bills.
Rep. Huot, House chief author of the bill, released the following statement after Governor Walz signed his bill into law:
“Many who experience an Emergency Room visit often don’t know what to expect with post hospital care, resulting in another ambulance call, or trip to the ER,” Rep. Huot remarked. “I fought for this legislation because all Minnesotans deserve the follow up care they need, especially after an ER visit. Delivering care and helping families save money is a win-win.”
The law goes into effect August 1, 2019.
###