Boosting Rural Emergency Services

Across rural Iowa, folks who live away from urban centers often have struggles getting assistance from Emergency Medical Services (EMS) when an emergency occurs. Patients in rural areas have the same acute and chronic medical conditions requiring an emergency response as those in urban areas do, however many rural EMS agencies face unique challenges in delivering quality care. Additionally, rural EMS agencies may be the closest, or even the only healthcare provider for these areas. But all too often, the rural EMS agencies face significant funding shortages that limit their ability to provide care to rural Iowans. That is why I joined with my colleague from Montana to introduce the Supporting and Improving Rural EMS Needs (SIREN) Act to make the necessary investment in our rural first responders. There are many variables that can slow service to rural areas that my bipartisan bill seeks to remedy. Most rural agencies face a number of challenges including personnel recruitment and retention, providing continuing education and preparedness training, purchasing updated equipment, maintaining adequate coverage during prolonged transport times, and obtaining qualified medical oversight. Rural EMS services are also increasingly filling the gap left by the elimination or reduction of community healthcare resources. My SIREN Act would create a $10 million grant program for EMS agencies in rural areas to help address these issues. Additionally, rural communities have been hit the hardest by the opioid epidemic, but these regions often have limited access to health care services. The surge in overdoses related to opioids has also tied up the resources and time of EMS professionals. The services they provide are the frontline in the fight against opioid abuse and adequate funding is necessary to help stop the opioid epidemic that has swept our nation. I am proud to work to help our rural EMS agencies get the equipment and help they need to provide quality healthcare to folks in rural areas.