The CGMC has made it a priority to engage the Minnesota Legislature and create meaningful and sustainable reforms to how Minnesota funds and operates its ambulance services. With an aging population in many areas of rural Minnesota, combined with the impacts of inflation, workforce recruitment and retention challenges, and a decreasing value in Medicare/Medicaid reimbursements for services, many small ambulance services are facing critical decisions with respect to continued operations.
The CGMC supports emergency funding grants to licensed ambulance services in 2024 and will work to put forward a long-term funding mechanism in 2025 that will allow our municipalities to continue to operate much-needed services across Greater Minnesota. CGMC members who do not operate their own service are just as concerned about the service provided to their community – longer response times and decreased levels of emergency care are simply not acceptable options.
Our work to support EMS providers in Greater Minnesota
The CGMC has a seat on the recently created MEDS Task Force (Minnesota EMS Delivery and Sustainability). This group is made up of subject matter experts who understand and care about the quality of EMS care across Minnesota.
Leading advocate for local governments in the debate over how to best address EMS delivery challenges in Greater Minnesota.
Strong push for immediate financial relief to all licensed ambulance services in Minnesota who are operating in the red.
Creating a strong coalition of support for meaningful financial support and sensible reforms going forward.
Advocacy & Informational Materials
- 2026 CGMC Legislative Priorities
- CGMC EMS Principles
- Support the Save Rural EMS bill: H.F. 337/S.F. 1080
- Handout – Ambulance Service: Beyond the Crisis
- What to Know About Emergency Ambulance Aid
- M.E.D.S. Task Force: Addressing EMS Challenges Across MN
Other Resources
- Emergency Medical Services Legislative Task Force
- Minnesota Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board (EMSRB)
- Performance Audit of the EMSRB by the Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor (2022)
- Minnesota Center for Rural Policy and Development — Rural EMS: Taking the Next Step
Bills to Watch
- Stay tuned for information on 2027 proposed legislation!