Community Paramedicine Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 4011

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Health

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-06-13: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2026-05-21T08:08:30Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The Community Paramedicine Act of 2025 aims to improve healthcare access in rural areas by authorizing federal grants to support community paramedicine programs. These programs use trained paramedics (often working with other health professionals or social workers) to provide mobile healthcare services, addressing health issues, reducing unnecessary emergency room visits, and making primary care more available to underserved populations.

Key Provisions

• Grant Program Overview: The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), will award grants to eligible entities to fund community paramedicine initiatives specifically in rural areas.
• Allowable Uses of Funds:
• Hiring, recruiting, and retaining paramedics.
• Covering costs for medical oversight (supervision by a qualified doctor, as defined in federal drug laws).
• Buying equipment like protective gear, uniforms, medical supplies, and vehicles.
• Paying for training and certification courses.
• Conducting public education on the benefits of these programs.
• Other related activities approved by HHS.
• Eligibility Requirements:
• Eligible entities include emergency medical services (EMS) agencies, states, Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, counties, municipalities, or non-profit groups representing EMS interests.
• For-profit companies cannot apply.
• Grant recipients can subcontract with others (including governments) to deliver services.
• Application Process:
• Applications must detail the entity's financial needs and the program's expected costs and benefits.
• Joint applications from multiple entities are allowed.
• Advisory and Selection Process:
• An advisory board, appointed after consulting national paramedicine, fire service, EMS, and Tribal health groups, will advise HHS and review applications.
• Selections prioritize advisory recommendations and the greatest need in rural areas.
• Special notice of the program will be given to Tribal community emergency managers.
• Grant Limits and Terms:
• Maximum award: $750,000 for single applicants; $1,500,000 for joint applicants.
• Grants last up to 5 years.
• Administrative costs capped at 10% in the first year and 5% thereafter.
• Recipients must report on funded activities and outcomes to HHS.
• Special Reservations: 15% of funds reserved annually for programs serving Tribal communities; unused portions can go to other eligible applicants.
• Definition of Community Paramedicine: Mobile healthcare where paramedics help solve health problems, shift non-emergency care away from hospitals to free up emergency resources, and improve primary care access for underserved or chronically ill people.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill amends Section 330A of the Public Health Service Act (which currently supports rural health care and small provider quality improvements) by:

• Adding a new subsection (h) to create the community paramedicine grant program.
• Redesignating existing subsections (h), (i), and (j) as (i), (j), and (k).
• Updating the section's title and descriptions to include "community paramedicine services support."
• Expanding references to include the new grant program in reporting and authorization requirements.

These changes integrate the new grants into an existing framework for rural health support without altering prior programs.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: HHS and HRSA will gain new responsibilities for administering grants, including advisory board management, application reviews, and reporting oversight, potentially increasing workload but focusing resources on rural health.
• On Citizens: Rural residents, especially in medically underserved or Tribal areas, could see better access to preventive and primary care, fewer emergency transports, and reduced healthcare costs through paramedic-led services.
• On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic rural U.S. healthcare.

Overall, the legislation could enhance health equity in rural America by leveraging paramedics to bridge gaps in traditional medical services, potentially lowering emergency system strain and improving outcomes for chronic conditions.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Rural and Tribal Communities: Primary beneficiaries through expanded healthcare access.
• EMS Agencies and Paramedics: Gain funding for staffing, training, and equipment to expand roles beyond emergencies.
• State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Eligible to apply or partner, helping address rural health disparities.
• Underserved Populations: Those with chronic illnesses or limited primary care options stand to benefit most.
• Non-Profit EMS Organizations: Can advocate for and receive funds to support programs.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: Builds on existing federal authority under the Public Health Service Act for rural health grants; includes standard safeguards like reporting and non-profit eligibility to ensure accountability and prevent misuse of funds. References to drug law definitions (e.g., for medical oversight) align with broader federal regulations without creating new conflicts.
• Constitutional Implications: No apparent issues; the bill involves spending for public health, a congressional power under the general welfare clause, and respects Tribal sovereignty through reservations and consultations.
• Political Implications: Promotes bipartisan rural healthcare support (introduced by representatives from both parties), potentially appealing in areas with aging populations and provider shortages. It emphasizes equity for Tribal communities, aligning with ongoing federal efforts to address historical disparities, but could face debates over funding priorities in budget-constrained environments.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5]

Cosponsors (14)

Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Boebert, Lauren [R-CO-4], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Elfreth, Sarah [D-MD-3], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15], Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1]

Recent Actions

• 2025-06-13: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-06-13: Introduced in House
• 2025-06-13: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Community Paramedicine Act of 2025 — issued 2025-06-13 — PDF (8 pages)