South Dakota legislature considers EMS funding proposals

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 21:32 · Archive

South Dakota lawmakers are advancing two proposals to address the state's struggling emergency medical services system.

A South Dakota legislative task force has completed months of work on proposals to rescue the state's struggling emergency medical services system. Lawmakers unanimously advanced two bills targeting EMS reimbursement rates and establishing a state EMS advisory council. The task force will send both proposals forward as committee bills for the upcoming legislative session, which convenes in January.

Senator Tim Reed of Brookings, the task force chairman, said the proposals represent progress but acknowledged more work remains. 'I'd like to solve this problem. I think we've got a good start on what we're getting done here,' he said. 'I think there's a lot more work to be done, but at least I think we've got to a point of some positive suggestions on how to move forward.'

The task force heard largely positive comments from ambulance directors, but local governments expressed concern. Eric Erickson, representing the South Dakota County Commissioners Association and the South Dakota Municipal League, told lawmakers that local governments remain worried about costs. 'Our revenue streams are limited by state law, and we see additional costs every year—and this looks like a big one,' he said. Funding the bills will require further discussion among legislators.

How it is being reported

• Legislative task force pushes EMS proposalsA legislative task force in Pierre has wrapped up months of work aimed at rescuing South Dakota’s struggling emergency medical services system.Dakotanewsnow · 27 Oct, 21:13
• State might help fund regional ambulance districtsPIERRE, S.D. (KELO) -- The South Dakota Legislature's Emergency Medical Services Funding Task Force is recommending two proposals for lawmakers to consider when they gather in January for the 2027 regular session. Draft 83 would require reimbursement and coverage for certain services provided by anambulance service. It calls on the South Dakota Department of Social [...]Keloland · 26 Oct, 19:21

In this story: South Dakota · South Dakota Legislature · Tim Reed · Brookings · South Dakota County Commissioners Association · South Dakota Municipal League · Eric Erickson

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