St. Paul Reporter

Emergency medical services (EMS) in rural Minnesota face ongoing financial and staffing challenges, according to a recent statement highlighting the situation in District 12B and other areas outside urban centers. Ambulance crews in these regions often travel long distances, respond to fewer emergency calls, and operate with limited budgets compared to their urban counterparts.

A one-time aid package of $30 million was approved by the Legislature last year to support rural EMS providers. The funding offered temporary relief to agencies struggling with operational costs. However, EMS leaders continue to express concern that this solution is not sufficient for long-term sustainability.

The statement emphasizes the need for a stable and sustainable funding model for rural EMS. This would involve predictable state support, improved reimbursement rates for services dependent on Medicare and Medicaid, and investment in recruitment and retention of EMTs and paramedics—positions that are especially hard to fill in rural communities.

Expanding training opportunities for students interested in EMS careers is also recommended as a way to strengthen the workforce pipeline. The goal is to ensure all communities have access to timely emergency medical care regardless of their size or location.

"This is a community priority. Families deserve to know that help will arrive quickly in a crisis. Rural life works only when essential services are strong and dependable. I am committed to securing stable, long term EMS funding so residents across the state have reliable emergency care when they need it," said the author of the statement.