S 3910 — EMS Staffing and Support Act

Summary

EMS Staffing and Support Act This bill provides funding for FY2023 and each fiscal year thereafter to support organizations that provide medical transport and emergency medical services (i.e., EMS organizations). It also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to report on reimbursement and other challenges faced by EMS organizations, including in rural areas. Specifically, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) must establish a competitive grant program for state, territorial, tribal, and local governments; nonprofit EMS organizations; and nonprofits that represent the interests of EMS organizations. Grant funds may be used for training and other personnel costs, purchasing necessary equipment and supplies, and related purposes. The bill further requires HRSA to allocate funding through compacts or contracts to Indian tribes for such purposes.

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in Senate Current html March 23, 2022

From the bill's own amending language, matched to the official United States Code (current through Public Law 119-121).

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill establishes a new funding program for emergency medical services (EMS) organizations under the Public Health Service Act.

• Part P of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280g et seq.)

  SEC. 399V-7. EMS ORGANIZATION FUNDING. (a) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Indian tribe; tribal organization.--The terms `Indian Tribe' and `Tribal organization' have the meanings given such terms in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. (2) EMS organization.--The term `EMS organization' means a public or private entity that provides medical transport and emergency medical services. (3) Emergency medical services.--The term `emergency medical services' has the meaning given such term in section 330J(e). (4) Qualified applicant.--The term `qualified applicant' means-- (A) an EMS organization, other than an EMS organization that operates for profit; (B) a State, Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, county, or municipality; or (C) any other nonprofit organization that represents the interests of EMS organizations. (5) State.--The term `State' means any State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any other territory or possession of the United States. (b) Competitive Grants.-- (1) In general.--Beginning in fiscal year 2023, the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, shall award grants on a competitive basis to qualified applicants to carry out activities described in subsection (d) in order to support EMS organizations in the United States.

  This creates a new section for funding EMS organizations, allowing for competitive grants to support their activities.

• Part P of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280g et seq.)

  (d) Activities.-- (1) In general.--Grants or other funding awarded under this section may be used to support EMS organizations through any of the following: (A) Hiring EMS organization personnel. (B) Recruiting and retaining volunteer EMS organization personnel. (C) Providing training or reimbursing personnel for training. (D) Conducting courses and implementing apprenticeship programs that qualify graduates to serve in an EMS organization in accordance with State and local requirements. (E) Purchasing necessary equipment. (F) Purchasing medicine and medical supplies. (G) Purchasing EMS vehicles. (H) Wellness and fitness programs for EMS organization personnel. (I) Modifying facilities. (J) Improving regional coordination among EMS organizations. (K) Establishing or supporting community paramedicine or mobile integrated health care initiatives. (L) Any other activity the Secretary determines appropriate.

  This enumerates specific allowable uses for the grants provided to EMS organizations.

• Part P of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280g et seq.)

  (e) Amount.--Each grant awarded under subsection (b), or funding through a contract or compact under subsection (c), shall be in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000.

  This specifies a maximum grant amount for funding EMS organizations.

• Part P of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280g et seq.)

  (f) Appropriations.-- (1) Awards.-- (A) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated, and there is appropriated, to the Secretary to award grants, and funding through contracts or compacts, under this section-- (i) for fiscal year 2023, $500,000,000; (ii) for each fiscal year thereafter, the amount authorized under this subparagraph for the preceding fiscal year increased by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (all items; United States city average) for the most recent 12-month period for which applicable data is available.

  This establishes appropriations amounts for the EMS organization grants program.

Action History

1. March 23, 2022

   Introduced in Senate

2. March 23, 2022

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Sponsors

• Bernard Sanders · Primary

Subjects