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Committee advances bill declaring EMS essential, shifting county responsibility for coverage amid funding concerns
Summary
House Bill 1251 would require counties to identify unserved areas and ensure emergency ambulance coverage by establishing county services, contracting with providers, or entering interlocal agreements; supporters called it a needed step for rural 'ambulance deserts' while county officials warned of large recurring costs and lack of a clear fiscal mechanism.
Representative Tim O'Brien presented House Bill 1251 and told the committee the bill makes emergency medical services "essential services" and requires counties to identify and provide coverage for areas that are currently unserved. The bill offers counties flexibility — they may establish a county ambulance service, contract with public, private, or nonprofit providers, or enter interlocal cooperation agreements — but it contains no appropriation.
"This bill makes a clear and important statement. Emergency medical services ... are essential services," O'Brien said, and stressed the measure is designed…
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