WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HD 2230

An Act to declare emergency medical services an essential service

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Leigh Davis

Designates EMS as an essential service, creates a dedicated EMS Fund to finance agencies, sets statewide standards, promotes regional collaboration, with audits and annual reports.

Referred to the committee on Public Health
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HD 2230

Summary of House Bill HD 2230: An Act to declare emergency medical services an essential service

Overview and Purpose

HD 2230 seeks to designate emergency medical services (EMS) as an essential service in Massachusetts and to create a dedicated funding stream and standards to improve access, equity, and quality of EMS across the Commonwealth. The bill establishes a new EMS Essential Service Fund to finance EMS agencies and requires the state to prioritize EMS in planning, funding, and resource allocation.

Key Provisions

  • Establishment of EMS Essential Service Fund (Chapter 29)

    • A separate fund on the books of the Commonwealth to support all EMS agencies.
    • Administered by the Commissioner of Public Health.
    • Fund sources include: designated appropriations, interest, private sector contributions (including tech firms and foundations), federal grants, and other gifts.
    • Money in the fund is not subject to further appropriation and does not revert to the General Fund at fiscal year end.
    • Authorized uses include operational costs (equipment, vehicles, salaries), training and certification, investments in underserved/high-need areas, and incentives for shared services (e.g., joint training and coordinated dispatch).
    • Regular audits of funded EMS agencies to ensure standards and efficient use of resources.
    • An annual activity report on the fund’s status and use is due to key legislative leaders.

  • Designation of EMS as an Essential Service (Chapter 111C)

    • EMS is designated as an essential service; EMS agencies will be prioritized in state and local planning, funding, and resource allocation.
    • The Office (EMS office within the Bureau of Health Care Safety and Quality) will publish statewide standards, including:
    • Response-time benchmarks tailored to urban, suburban, and rural areas.
    • Training and certification requirements for EMS personnel.
    • Guidelines for equitable funding and resource allocation.
    • The Office will collaborate with regional/local EMS to identify service gaps and address disparities; regionalization to improve efficiency is encouraged.
    • The EMS Essential Service Fund will fund these initiatives.
    • An advisory committee will guide EMS development (see composition below) and quarterly meetings to review progress.

  • Advisory Committee (new, Section 26)

    • Members: Commissioner (chair), two EMS professionals, one municipal EMS expert, one public-health expert.
    • Meets at least quarterly to review progress and advise on strategies.

  • Reporting and Evaluation

    • The Office, with the Department, must prepare an annual report by December 31, covering:
    • EMS status, funding needs, workforce challenges.
    • Effectiveness in improving access to care.
    • Cost savings and financial sustainability.
    • Data from EMS agencies and expansion recommendations.
    • Reports go to the Governor, chairs of public health and health care financing committees, and legislative clerks.

Who Is Affected

  • All emergency medical service agencies in Massachusetts (across urban, suburban, and rural areas).
  • Municipalities and regional EMS coalitions, which may participate in regionalization and shared-service initiatives.
  • EMS personnel (through training/certification standards) and EMS leadership/administrations.
  • State agencies and the Legislature, via audits and annual reporting requirements.

Implementation and Timeline

  • Status: Referred to the Committee on Public Health (as of May 12, 2025) after being introduced on May 12, 2025.
  • Effective implementation depends on appropriation to the EMS Fund and subsequent regulatory action to publish standards and establish the advisory committee.
  • Annual reporting due December 31 each year.

Bottom Line

HD 2230 aims to elevate EMS to an essential service, secure dedicated and diversified funding, standardize high-quality care, promote regional collaboration, and establish ongoing oversight and accountability through regular audits and annual reporting.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.