AUGUSTA - The Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services voted Thursday to advance a bill from Rep. Sue Salisbury, D-Westbrook, that would support Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers that offer community paramedicine services. The vote was 11-0, among members present, with two members still to vote.
Following an amendment offered by Rep. Salisbury, LD 883 would make it easier for EMS providers offering community paramedicine services to continue to provide current levels of service without having to obtain an additional home health care license, so long as their activities remain confined to the scope of community paramedicine. This typically includes services such as blood glucose analysis, chronic disease education, home safety assessments and follow ups.
"Increasingly, Maine's rural and older communities are struggling to receive the emergency health care they need," said Salisbury. "Community paramedicine offers an avenue for existing emergency medical resources to fill gaps in local health care systems as we work on long-term solutions for building out this critical workforce which has been suffering from nationwide shortages."
Additionally, the bill would create a pathway to increase community paramedicine services offered by EMS providers, pending approval and oversight from the Department of Health and Human Services.
The bill faces votes in the House and Senate in the coming weeks.
Salisbury is serving her second term in the Maine House and represents District 128, part of Westbrook. She serves as House chair of the Legislature's Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Salisbury], 305-965-2744