PRESS RELEASE – CGMC regional EMS forum emphasizes critical need to address funding issues in Greater MN

For Immediate Release   

January 19, 2024                                                                      

Contact: Alex Wildfang        
651-259-1917   
ahwildfang@flaherty-hood.com                                                                                                                      

CGMC regional EMS forum emphasizes critical need to address funding issues in Greater Minnesota communities

Local leaders, elected officials tell legislators to push for immediate funding solutions to support communities across the state

ST. JAMES—Yesterday, the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities (CGMC) hosted a regional forum focused on discussing the rapidly growing challenges related to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) delivery and sustainability facing communities across Minnesota.

The forum drew local leaders, elected officials, and state legislators from the region, along with other EMS stakeholders from surrounding communities. The collective concern amongst attendees was that, without emergency funding followed by a longer-term stable financial solution, their local ambulance services are simply not sustainable. Sen. Gene Dornink (R-Brownsdale) and Rep. Marj Fogelman (R-Fulda) took notes as city representatives shared stories of their communities’ troubled experiences with escalating EMS delivery shortages.

“Emergency Medical Service delivery has become an increasingly pressing problem for communities throughout the state,” said CGMC Executive Director Bradley Peterson. “The CGMC is preparing to bring this issue to the forefront of the legislature by establishing a strong position early in the legislative session and laying the groundwork for securing meaningful assistance for our communities.”

“What we really need to focus on is the critical need for not just emergency and immediate funding but also a long-term sustainable funding mechanism to help offset what are truly unacceptably low Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement shortfalls,” Peterson continued.

With the start of the 2024 legislative session quickly approaching, the forum’s discussion highlighted how it is more crucial than ever to foster discussion among Greater Minnesota communities and communicate to legislators that EMS is an urgent issue that needs to be addressed.

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The Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization representing cities outside of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The Coalition educates legislators about issues important to Greater Minnesota. Visit the CGMC at greatermncities.org and follow us on Twitter @greatermncities.