Strengthening Local Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

EMS providers across the state are in crisis due to rising costs and high demand for increasingly complex services. Counties are being asked to fill growing gaps in EMS services in their communities, but they do not have the resources, flexibility, or statutory authority to develop county-wide or publicly funded EMS programs.  

As a form of healthcare, EMS is subject to the same escalating costs as the rest of the healthcare industry. Municipalities that operate EMS Departments, or contract for services with those that do, feel the ongoing financial strain of these costs that are far outpacing inflation.  

Additionally, local governments’ efforts to collaborate on joint EMS services across municipal and county boundaries are hindered by current law, which prohibits counties and local municipalities from creating joint taxing districts for EMS services.