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AARP, legislators raise concern as Wyoming loses ambulance services; committee to study EMS funding and volunteer shortfalls
Summary
AARP told lawmakers 16 EMS organizations or ambulance services folded or consolidated in the last decade and urged a policy review of payment, volunteer recruitment and service models to sustain emergency medical services in rural Wyoming.
Tom Laycock of AARP Wyoming told the joint committee the state has lost emergency medical services capacity in recent years and urged a policy review.
"State of Wyoming has seen 16 EMS organizations or ambulance organizations fold or consolidate in the last 10 years," Laycock said, noting volunteer shortages and payment challenges. "There's a lot of questions about why that is. A lot of it obviously comes down to, to payment."
Committee members and witnesses suggested studying EMS financing, volunteer recruitment and alternative service models during the interim. The Department of Health and other agencies were asked to provide options and data for potential policy responses; no legislation was introduced at the meeting.
