For Immediate Release
February 8, 2024
Contact: Alex Wildfang
651-259-1917
ahwildfang@flaherty-hood.com
CGMC regional forum urges legislators to support immediate funding aid for EMS
Local leaders, elected officials tell state policymakers that financial assistance for EMS providers must be a top priority in 2024 session
COKATO—City leaders, elected officials, and state legislators from across the region gathered in Cokato last night for an EMS regional forum hosted by the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities (CGMC). The forum was the second in a series of CGMC events aimed at highlighting the critical challenges related to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) delivery and sustainability that are facing communities across Minnesota.
Sen. Bruce Anderson (R-Buffalo Township), Sen. Glenn Gruenhagen (R-Glencoe), Rep. Dave Baker (R-Willmar), Rep. Dawn Gillman (R-Dassel), Rep. Bobbie Harder (R-Henderson), Rep. Marion Rarick (R-Maple Lake), and Rep. Dean Urdahl (R-Grove City) took notes and asked questions as city representatives and EMS stakeholders explained the impacts of severe reimbursement shortfalls, increased operating and equipment costs, and unsustainable staffing models on local ambulance services. Attendees collectively expressed that without emergency funding, followed by a long-term solution, their communities will be forced to make tough decisions.
“The reality is that many of our communities simply can no longer afford to operate their local ambulance services,” said CGMC Executive Director Bradley Peterson. “Even if they defer capital expenses, even if they rely on volunteer staffing, the cost of providing quality, life-saving care leaves many ambulance services operating at a significant financial loss.” According to data collected by the Minnesota Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board, the reported operating deficit for EMS providers statewide in 2022 totaled more than $120 million.
The Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities is pushing to bring this issue to the top of the legislative agenda early in the 2024 session. “We need to focus on the critical need for emergency and immediate funding so that ambulance services can stay open,” Peterson continued. “This crisis will absolutely have life-threatening consequences for anyone that needs urgent medical care in Greater Minnesota.” In addition to advocating for a short-term remedy, forum attendees discussed the need for a long-term solution that addresses Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement shortfalls and allows EMS providers to operate sustainably year after year.
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 that represents cities outside of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The Coalition educates legislators about issues important to Greater Minnesota. Visit the CGMC online at greatermncities.org and follow us on Twitter @greatermncities.
