In May, state lawmakers responded to the need for resources for rural ambulance and emergency medical services: A bipartisan law providing over $20 million dollars in aid.

However, financial strain isn’t the only issue. In June, Lake County Ambulance Service Director Randy Strohmeyer spoke to WDIO about staffing shortages.

“On average our EMTs and paramedics stay in EMS roughly five to seven years. Where we see the greatest need is getting new people into the field.” Strohmeyer explained, saying that the service was looking into retention strategies.

On the financial side of things, a big issue for ambulance services is that they often have to operate at a loss – currently, Medicaid and Medicare reimburse only about 25 percent of the cost of an ambulance response.

“Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates aren’t making up for the cost of the care,” said State Senator Grant Hauschild, DFL-Hermantown, a member of Minnesota’s EMS Task Force, “And what we see is in districts like ours up in northern Minnesota, 70-80% of the patients are Medicare and Medicaid patients, making it all that much more challenging.”

The taskforce submitted its report in August. Among it’s recommendations was one of speaking with federal leaders to advocate for sustainable funding, a promise made good on September 24.

Members of Minnesota’s EMS taskforce, including Sen. Hauschild, Representatives Natalie Zeleznikar, R-3B, and Dave Lislegard, DFL-7B, travelled to Washington to discuss the ongoing crisis with federal lawmakers – meeting with Senators Klobuchar and Smith, Minnesota Representatives including Pete Stauber, as well as officials from the Biden administration.

“All of them over and over again are saying, we did a great job at the state level. Now it’s time for them at the Fed level to do something about the ambulance reimbursement rates in greater Minnesota.” Hauschild said of the meetings.

WDIO reached out to local public safety agencies to learn more about EMS services in rural areas. Jesse Buhs, Chief of the Cloquet Area Fire District made the following statement.

“The disparity between the cost of providing ambulance service in outstate Minnesota and what is collected in billing reimbursements continues to grow. Recruiting and retaining ambulance staff is also a primary challenge for many services. Emergency medical technicians and paramedic’s jobs are difficult, stressful and dangerous and many times they leave their role for better opportunities. If we don’t make significant investments in our ambulance services in rural communities, we will soon be faced with a rapidly failing emergency service critical to all areas of rural Minnesota.”

“This isn’t a this isn’t a party issue. This is about getting service to the people that need it most in rural Minnesota and rural America. That’s where the help is needed.” said Rep Lislegard.