For Immediate Release
March 25, 2024
Contact: Alex Wildfang
651-259-1917
ahwildfang@flaherty-hood.com
Legislature’s initial EMS plan falls short
Proposed $16 million immensely insufficient in tackling statewide EMS delivery crisis.
ST. PAUL—On Friday, the Governor and DFL legislative leaders released their joint budget framework outlining the funding targets proposed for the session. The appropriation for urgent emergency medical services (EMS) aid falls drastically below the desperate need of communities throughout the state.
“EMS providers all over Minnesota have been struggling to deliver vital services to our communities for years, and the $16 million that the Governor and legislative leaders settled on will not even begin to alleviate the financial burden,” said CGMC President and St. Joseph Mayor Rick Schultz. “This amount is absolutely unacceptable and doesn’t match the sacrifices that local EMS personnel across the state make every day to ensure the health and safety of our communities.”
The CGMC’s top legislative priority this session is securing $120 million in immediate relief to licensed ambulance providers facing incredible financial challenges in an effort to keep ambulance services operational and emergency care accessible to all Minnesotans while broader solutions are developed.
“As the Legislature’s Joint Emergency Medical Service Task Force traveled the state earlier this year, the majority of the testimony they heard, in location after location, was about the need for financial assistance. The EMS funding as proposed by the Governor and Legislature represents less than 10% of the statewide need, ignoring the voices of our dedicated EMS providers,” continued Schultz.
“Given the state’s $3.7 billion surplus and an almost $3 billion rainy-day fund, the state clearly has enough money to provide much more in immediate aid to support our EMS providers. It’s not a question of whether there is enough money. The question is whether there is enough political willpower to do what’s right.”
“We understand there is a long way to go until we get to the end of session. Budget targets can be changed and have been in the past. Between now and the middle of May, we need legislators from both parties and the Governor to roll up their sleeves and figure out how to get more dollars to shore up our fragile EMS system. The proposed plan, as it currently stands, doesn’t cut it. It’s hard to think of anything more important that the Legislature can spend money on this session.”
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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.
