This bill would add a new grant program to an existing public health law to support community paramedicine programs in rural areas. The Secretary of Health and Human Services, through HRSA, would award grants to eligible entities to hire and recruit community paramedicine staff, pay for medical director oversight, buy equipment and vehicles, cover certification costs, do public outreach, and other related activities. Eligible applicants include emergency medical services agencies, States, Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations, counties, municipalities, and organizations that represent EMS interests. For-profit entities are not eligible. Grants may be used to make subgrants or contracts.
The bill sets application requirements (including statements of financial need and program costs and benefits), creates an advisory board to advise the Secretary and peer-review applications, and requires grantees to report on funded activities and results. The maximum award is $750,000 for single applicants and $1,500,000 for joint applicants, for grant periods up to 5 years. Administrative costs are limited to 10 percent in the first year and 5 percent in later years. The bill defines "community paramedicine" as mobile-integrated health care using specially trained paramedics to address health problems, reduce non-emergency use of emergency resources, and improve access to primary care for underserved populations. It also reserves 15 percent of grant funds each year for applicants serving Tribal communities, with reallocation allowed if those funds are not used. The bill also makes conforming edits to the title and text of the affected section of the Public Health Service Act.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.