Two EMS bills headed to governor’s desk

Two new bills are headed to Gov. Tony Evers’ desk, both addressing funding and staffing issues for Wisconsin’s EMS providers. For those taking EMS classes at a Wisconsin technical college, Senate Bill 182 reimburses the individual for completion of the course and training, and sends money to technical colleges to help them fund classes so they aren’t canceled. SB 182 also creates a pilot Live 911 program — new technology that allows dispatchers to connect to a caller via video to better respond, give instructions, and pass information to first responders. Senate Bill 183 creates an exemption in the Expenditure Restraint Incentive Program, allowing joint fire and EMS districts to benefit from more funding from cities and municipalities. SB 183 also changes how transport of Medicaid patients works. This bill allows EMS to get the same reimbursement rate for home treatment patients as they recieve for transport patients.