On October 7, Representative Tim Walz (D-MN) introduced the “Field EMS Quality, Innovation, and Cost Effectiveness Improvements Act of 2011” (H.R. 3144) along with original co-sponsor, Representative Sue Myrick (R-NC). The bill is patterned after legislation introduced just before the 111th Congress expired at the end of last year, although there are some very substantial differences.

H.R. 3144 defines “emergency medical services” or “EMS” as “emergency medical care, trauma care, and related services provided to patients at any point in the continuum of health care services, including emergency medical dispatch and emergency medical care, trauma care, and related services provided in the field, during transport, or in a medical care facility or other clinical setting.” “Field EMS” is defined as “emergency medical services provided to patients (including transport by ground, air, or otherwise) prior to or outside a medical facility or other clinical setting.”

The bill establishes the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as the “primary Federal agency with responsibility for programs and activities relating to emergency medical services and trauma care.” The legislation from the 111th Congress had established the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) within the Department of Transportation as the primary Federal EMS agency.  H.R. 3144 cites the recommendation of “the Institute of Medicine” and states a congressional finding that making HHS the lead Federal EMS agency, “…is necessary to provide a more streamlined, cost-efficient, and comprehensive approach for field EMS and a focal point for practitioners and agencies to interface with the Federal Government.”

H.R. 3144 would establish several grant programs, including the Field EMS Excellence, Quality, Universal Access, Innovation, and Preparedness (EQUIP) program for field EMS agencies that “are licensed by or otherwise authorized in the State in which they operate” and “have medical oversight and quality improvement programs.” The bill language specifies that EQUIP grant application forms not be “unduly burdensome to smaller and volunteer field EMS agencies or other agencies with limited resources.”

The bill also establishes a grant program for State EMS offices, creates a Field EMS Medical Oversight Advisory Committee, establishes a Field EMS Education Grant program for entities “involved with the education of field EMS practitioners,” calls for the evaluation of “Innovative Models for Access and Delivery of Field EMS for Patients,” directs the Secretary of HHS to “conduct research and evaluation relating to field EMS,” and establishes a “Field EMS Evidence-Based Practice Center.” In addition, H.R. 3144 sets up an “Emergency Medical Services Trust Fund” which would be funded by designating income tax overpayments and voluntary contributions in order to pay for the activities and programs established under the bill.

Click here to view the text of H.R. 3144 and other information about the bill. H.R. 3144 has been referred to the Energy and Commerce Committee as well as the Ways and Means Committee in the House of Representatives.