PARA–EMT Act of 2025

Bill Number: H.R. 2220
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Health
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2025-03-18: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Last Updated: 2026-06-03T08:05:57Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The PARA-EMT Act of 2025 aims to address the growing shortage of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics in the U.S. by funding recruitment, training, and support programs. It recognizes EMTs and paramedics as essential to the emergency medical services (EMS) system, which provides urgent care and transport for ill or injured people, and seeks to improve access and quality of these services amid workforce challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key Provisions

Findings (Section 2): Outlines the critical role of EMTs (who provide basic care and transport) and paramedics (who handle advanced procedures like intubation and drug administration). Highlights a projected need for 42,000 more workers by 2030, high turnover rates (20-30% annually), and pandemic-related strains like burnout and halted training.

EMS Preparedness and Response Workforce Shortage Pilot Program (Section 3): Adds a new section to the Public Health Service Act authorizing the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, to award grants to eligible EMS agencies.
Grants support new or enhanced programs for recruiting/retaining personnel (including volunteers), training for licenses/certifications, apprenticeships, technology-based education, wellness programs (e.g., mental health awareness), and specialized training for mental/substance use disorders.
Prioritizes agencies focusing on youth (especially rural, low-income, or high school students), veterans, rural/small agencies, and other needs.
At least 20% of grants go to rural agencies; maximum per grant is $1,000,000.
Grantees must report activities; HHS submits overall program success reports to Congress and makes them public.
Authorizes $50 million annually from fiscal years 2026-2030, with up to 10% for administrative costs.
Defines "eligible EMS agency" as state-licensed entities providing out-of-hospital emergency care by certified EMTs, paramedics, or equivalents (paid or volunteer).

Assisting Veterans with Military Emergency Medical Training (Section 4): Adds a new section to the Public Health Service Act for HHS to award demonstration grants to states.
Helps veterans who completed military EMT/paramedic training meet civilian certification, licensure, and other requirements, including those who passed the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians exam.
States use funds to cover transition costs like training, education, credentialing, national testing fees, and state licensure fees via sub-grants from their EMS agencies.
Requires annual reports to Congress.
Authorizes $20 million annually from fiscal years 2026-2030.

Study and Report on EMT and Paramedic Workforce Shortage (Section 5): Directs the Secretary of Labor, in coordination with HHS, to study:
Current and projected job availability (2025-2034) by employer type (e.g., ambulance services, local governments, hospitals).
Jobs needed due to worker turnover or exits.
Availability of training programs to meet demand.
Overall projected shortages.
Within one year of enactment, submit a report to Congress with recommendations, including potential expansion of "Schedule A" (a federal hiring authority for hard-to-fill jobs).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Inserts two new sections into the Public Health Service Act (Title XII and Part B of Title III), creating pilot grant programs and veteran support initiatives that did not previously exist.
Introduces dedicated federal funding streams for EMS workforce development, with a focus on rural areas, veterans, and youth—building on but not altering core EMS regulations or licensing standards, which remain state-based.
Adds a mandated inter-agency study on labor shortages, potentially influencing future federal hiring policies like Schedule A expansions.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: HHS and the Department of Labor gain new responsibilities for grant administration, reporting, and studies, with $70 million in annual authorizations potentially straining budgets if not fully appropriated. States receive support for EMS oversight and veteran transitions.
Citizens: Enhances EMS access and quality, particularly in rural or underserved areas, reducing response times and improving emergency care outcomes. Could lower burnout and turnover, stabilizing services for the public.
International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic workforce issues.

Main Stakeholders Affected

EMS Agencies and Personnel: Primary beneficiaries through grants for recruitment, training, and wellness; includes paid, volunteer, rural, and small agencies.
Veterans: Eased transition from military to civilian EMS roles via cost coverage and certification support.
Youth and Disadvantaged Groups: Targeted recruitment from high school students, rural/low-income youth.
States and Local Governments: Receive grants and sub-grant authority; must implement transition plans.
General Public: Improved emergency response reliability, especially in shortages-hit areas.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Strengthens public health infrastructure under the Public Health Service Act without overriding state licensing authority, ensuring compliance with federalism principles. Grant conditions promote equity (e.g., rural minimums) but require accountability via reports.
Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power to fund health preparedness; no apparent free speech, privacy, or due process concerns.
Political: Bipartisan introduction (by Democrats and Republicans) signals broad support for addressing EMS crises post-COVID. Recommendations on federal hiring (e.g., Schedule A) could spark debates on labor policy expansions, but the pilot nature allows testing without immediate overhauls.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Perez, Marie Gluesenkamp [D-WA-3]

Cosponsors (26)

Rep. Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1], Rep. Feenstra, Randy [R-IA-4], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Bynum, Janelle S. [D-OR-5], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3], Rep. Gonzalez, Vicente [D-TX-34], Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6], Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40], Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2], Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4], Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11], Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Mejia, Analilia [D-NJ-11]

Recent Actions

2025-03-18: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-03-18: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-03-18: Introduced in House
2025-03-18: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Preserve Access to Rapid Ambulance Emergency Medical Treatment Act of 2025 — issued 2025-03-18 — PDF (11 pages)