Gluesenkamp Perez, Finstad Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Tackle EMS Staffing Shortages and Streamline Veteran Hiring

Today, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) and Rep. Brad Finstad (MN-01) introduced the bipartisan Preserve Access to Rapid Ambulance Emergency Medical Treatment (PARA-EMT) Act. The bill would address EMS staffing shortages and make it easier for experienced veterans to transition from medics to becoming certified paramedics and EMTs.

Our nation’s emergency medical services (EMS) system is facing a critical staffing shortage that has been building for more than a decade and was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. High employee turnover has resulted in longer 911 response times and increased burnout for EMTs and paramedics, especially in rural communities.

The PARA-EMT Act includes several provisions to bolster the EMS workforce:

• Creates an EMS preparedness and response workforce shortage pilot grant program to strengthen recruitment and retention of EMTs and paramedics.
  • Prioritizes rural communities and ensures 20 percent or more of the grants are made to rural EMS agencies.
• Establishes a grant program for states to cover transition costs to make it easier for experienced veterans transitioning from medics to becoming certified EMTs and paramedics.
• Directs the Secretary of Labor and HHS to conduct a study of EMS workforce conditions and report findings to Congress.

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez’s remarks to the House Armed Services Committee in support of the legislation last Congress are available here.

“When you dial 911, it’s critical that lifesaving emergency services are quickly on their way – no matter your zip code,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “Our bipartisan legislation will address EMS workforce shortages by supporting recruitment and retention, while prioritizing rural communities where it can be more difficult to cover vast terrain. It will also cut red tape for qualified veterans who are looking to build on their service to our nation by becoming a certified EMT or paramedic.”

“Rural communities, such as those in southern Minnesota, struggle to combat staffing shortages when it comes to emergency medical personnel,” said Rep. Finstad. “The PARA-EMT Act creates a pathway for veterans with military medical training to apply their skills and serve their communities. I’m proud to join Congresswoman Gluesenkamp Perez in reintroducing this legislation that addresses staffing shortages and streamlines the process for qualified veterans to become paramedics and EMTs.”

“Ground ambulance service organizations across the U.S. providing vital emergency 9-1-1 and interfacility medical services to patients face a severe shortage of paramedics and EMTs,” said Jamie Pafford-Gresham, President of the American Ambulance Association. “The PARA-EMT Act by Representatives Gluesenkamp Perez and Finstad would assist ambulance organizations, which have limitations on the amount they can charge payers, in the hiring and retaining of paramedics and EMTs including helping those veterans with highly skilled medical experience transition to the civilian EMS workforce.”

Last year, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez was recognized by the American Ambulance Association (AAA) as a 2024 Legislator of the Year for her commitment to addressing critical workforce shortages facing emergency medical services. Last year, the Congresswoman also secured $963,000 for Skamania County to upgrade EMS communications systems

Full text of the legislation is available here.

The lawmakers previously introduced the legislation in the 118th Congress.