PARA-EMT Act of 2025

Full Title:
PARA–EMT Act of 2025

Summary#

This bill creates programs to help keep and grow the emergency medical services (EMS) workforce. It adds a pilot grant program run by the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response to give money to eligible EMS agencies for recruiting, training, and supporting emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics. Eligible uses include recruitment and retention, classroom and apprenticeship training, paying for licensing and certification costs, using technology for education, wellness and mental health programs, and training to care for people with mental health or substance use disorders.

The pilot program must prioritize programs that recruit youth (including rural and low-income youth), help veterans who completed military EMT training meet civilian certification requirements, and serve small or rural areas. At least 20 percent of grants must go to rural EMS agencies. A single grant may not exceed $1,000,000. The bill authorizes $50,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2026–2030 for this pilot, and allows the Secretary to use up to 10 percent of that money for administration. Grant recipients must report to the Secretary, and the Secretary must report to Congress and publish findings about the program's success.

The bill also authorizes a separate demonstration grant program for States to help veterans who completed military EMT or paramedic training transition to civilian certification and licensure. States may use funds to pay for training, education, certification, credentialing, national exam fees, and State licensing fees. That program is authorized at $20,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2026–2030, and the Secretary must send an annual report to Congress.

Finally, the bill requires the Secretary of Labor, working with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to study the EMT and paramedic workforce. The study must count current jobs by employer type, project job growth and replacement needs from 2025 through 2034, assess training program availability, and estimate the projected shortage. The Secretaries must report to Congress within one year and may recommend actions, including whether to expand Schedule A to include these occupations.

The bill text also includes findings describing a long-term EMS workforce shortage, high turnover, and effects from the COVID-19 pandemic.

What it means for you#

  • If you run or work for an EMS agency, you may be able to apply for grants to pay for hiring, training, certifications, apprenticeships, wellness programs, or technology-based training.
  • If you are a veteran with military EMT or paramedic training, your State may get money to help pay for training, testing, or licensing to become a civilian EMT or paramedic.
  • Rural, small, and youth-focused programs are priorities and may have an increased chance of receiving grants.
  • The federal government will study EMS job needs and training capacity and report back to Congress within a year.

Expenses#

  • Pilot EMS grant program: authorized at $50,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
  • Veteran transition grants to States: authorized at $20,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
  • Up to 10 percent of the $50,000,000 annual amount may be used for administration each year.
  • Maximum award to a single grant recipient under the pilot: $1,000,000.
  • No publicly available information on actual appropriations, total expected outlays, or official budget scores beyond the authorization amounts in the bill.

Proponents' View#

The bill's findings say EMTs and paramedics are vital to emergency care and that the EMS system faces a long-term workforce shortage, worsened by COVID-19. Proponents say targeted grants, training support, help for veterans, and a federal study will improve recruitment, retention, and the supply of trained EMS personnel, especially in rural and underserved areas.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.