Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar, spoke at the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) press conference on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Rep. Zeleznikar appreciated the opportunity to tour the state to listen and learn what those who do the job need. She listened, learned, and determined the issues that have been noted by Greater Minnesota since 2002. In fact, a study by the state confirms this in the Office of Legislative Audit reports.
Unfortunately, the House majority chose to prioritize other items and not this bipartisan issue that affects every Minnesotan. Rather, a task force was developed in December 2023 after a $17.5 billion historic surplus was spent in 5 months. The task force made recommendations without the necessary resources available. The reality is that the need has not changed and regardless of zip code, Minnesotans expect to have an ambulance arrive timely when they call 911. This expectation is in jeopardy, because it requires needed staffing as determined by the state to run the ambulance.
In addition, approximately 70% of the ambulance runs are not emergency events like a heart attack, a car accident etc. Rather, ambulances respond to calls for transport, help with patient lifts, etc. With a historical surplus, Greater Minnesota did not receive the necessary funding for non-emergency transportation to assist in escorts from hospitals to home and the list goes on. This is unfortunate.
Make no mistake. There was a historical 17.5-billion-dollar surplus, and while the need for investing in ambulance services (EMS) was known, it was not prioritized. Yet, a $730 million palace for politicians is under construction and nearly $200 million allocated for a train to Duluth. Neither of these funding initiatives will provide critical transportation to those in need of medical appointments, or transport critical care needs to the hospital.
Ambulance services are truly a bipartisan need, no matter where you live, work, or visit. Minnesota can and must do better. Rep. Zeleznikar looks forward to initiatives for addressing long term solutions for non-emergency transportation and emergency medical services (EMS) to assure ambulance services statewide.
