Sioux City Times

U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra has introduced the Preserve Access to Rapid Ambulance Emergency Medical Treatment Act, also known as the PARA-EMT Act. This legislation aims to create a grant program for rural areas to recruit, train, and retain paramedics and emergency medical technicians.

The Health Resources and Services Administration predicts a shortage of 42,000 emergency medical personnel in the United States by 2030.

Rep. Feenstra emphasized the importance of rapid emergency medical services in rural communities, stating, “Rapid emergency medical services are critical for our families and seniors in our rural communities where seconds can be a matter of life and death." Drawing from his experience as a former volunteer EMT with the Hull Ambulance Service for fifteen years, he highlighted the need for investment in rural emergency response systems. "I’m glad to help introduce the PARA-EMT Act to deliver the financial resources that our rural communities need to recruit qualified medical personnel, train new paramedics and EMTs, and retain these heroes who face higher levels of burnout and stress," said Rep. Feenstra.

The proposed legislation mandates that at least 20% of approved grants go to rural communities. It also calls on the U.S. Secretary of Labor and the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services to survey emergency medical services nationwide, particularly focusing on rural areas, with a report submitted to Congress.