Senate backs bill to reimburse EMS for non-ER care, telehealth and alternative transports

House Bill 1069 cleared the Senate after floor debate in which sponsors and supporters said the bill expands options for EMS providers and could lower health-care costs by reducing unnecessary ER transports.

Sponsor Senator Mullica told the chamber the bill "allows our EMS agencies to be compensated" when they provide alternatives to emergency-room transport, such as telehealth or transport to a primary-care provider, rather than defaulting to hospital care.

Supporters emphasized rural benefits and cost savings. Senator Fisel said the change is especially important to rural EMS teams that currently are often unpaid if they do not transport a patient to a facility. Senator Kirk Meyer signaled he moved from initial skepticism to support after further information and discussion with the sponsor.

Floor debate praised the measure as a way to provide better care and save state dollars; the bill passed the Senate and now proceeds for final enrollment steps.