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Legislation

It was another successful legislative session for North Dakota EMS. The North Dakota EMS Association and North Dakota Ambulance Service Advocates are pleased to announce that their efforts helped secure an addtional $3 million for ambulance service staffing and operations! The additional funding is above the governor's proposal of $1.25 million for July 2011 - June 2013. The additional money also comes with a new plan to fund EMS, permanently, which is much more equitable for all services in North Dakota.

Some EMS highlights of the 62nd Legislative Session include:

  • $4.25 Million to assist with ambulance service staffing and operations
  • $940,000 for training grant funds
  • $600,000 for Mission Lifeline, STEMI Project
  • $50,000 to contract a state medical director
  • $30,000 for trauma designation site visits
  • $20,000 for ATLS training

As many of you are aware, the EMS Association and Ambulance Service Advocates primary focus this session was advocating for a permanent and equitable funding formula for ambulance services. It has been a long journey, but this session we took a large stride in the right direction. The work is far from over, however. Over the next year the Association and Advocates will be working closely with DEMST and the EMS Advisory Council to develop the details of the funding plan. As those developments are made we will be posting updates on this site.

This was not the only item we focused on. The EMS Association and Ambulance Service Advocates also tracked a number of other bills. Below you will find various links that will give you an idea of everything that we have worked on and followed.

Final Legislative Update

First, is the Final Legislative Update. This update summarizes the bills that passed the 62nd Legislative Assembly that impact EMS. It illustrates how things have moved through the session and changes that have come about. After reading this you will have a better understanding of the changes these pieces of legislation made.

The Journey of House Bill 1044

Second, The Journey of House Bill 1044. House Bill 1044 was the EMS funding bill. It has been on a long journey and has yet to reach its final destination, although it is drawing nearer and nearer. This is a journal of the process and evolution of the EMS funding plan. It is an extremely detailed account of how we have gotten to the point we are at now.

Finally, we have links to all the enrolled bills we followed. Enrolled bills, are those that have passed both chambers and have been sent to the governor for his consideration. All the enrolled bills below have been signed into law. If you are interested in reading the final text of the pass legislation the we were tracking, these links will lead you there.

62nd Legislative Assembly Enrolled Bills:

  • House Bill 1004 - Department of Health Budget
  • House Bill 1044 - EMS Funding
  • House Bill 1045 - PSAP Communications
  • House Bill 1139 - Dispatch of QRUs
  • House Bill 1156 - Confidentiality of Emergency Services Communications
  • House Bill 1266 - State Medical Director
  • Senate Bill 2094 - Staffing Grant Application Deadline

ND Legislature Home Page

The North Dakota EMS Association has played a leading role in developing legislation that has positively impacted North Dakota EMS. We are now joining forces with the North Dakota Ambulance Service Advocates to continue to serve you. Together we are continuously working to improve emergency care in North Dakota.

Below is a look at some of the legislation the Association has been instrumental in championing during the last two legislative sessions. With your help, we can continue to make a profound impact on how pre-hospital care is provided in our state!

2007 Accomplishments 

  • $300,000 increase in allotment for the Training Grant
  • $300,000 increase in Medicaid reimbursement
  • Eliminated the Excise and State Fuel Tax for ambulance services
  • Developed and lobbied to have $1.25 Million for the Staffing Grant

2009 Accomplishments

  • $2 Million increase in Medicaid reimbursement
  • $1 Million increase in allotment for the Staffing Grant
  • Developed and championed a $500,000 allocation for EMS Improvement. This is a four part program that provides an assessment for the improvement of EMS systems, development of leadership classes, a recruitment drive, and a regional quality improvement program.
     

For more information on the North Dakota Ambulance Service Advocates click here.