[NAEMT Press Release issued April 13, 2016]

Hundreds of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals will assemble next week on Capitol Hill to request support from Congress for important legislation:

1. H.R. 4365, Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act of 2016
   To continue the physician Medical Director’s ability to use a “standing order” protocol to oversee the administration of pain and seizure medication by EMS practitioners and enable them to deliver immediate and often life-saving care to patients in need.
   
   
2. S. 453/H.R. 1818, the Veteran Emergency Medical Technicians Support Act of 2015
   To streamline the process for military medics, trained to provide medical care on the battlefield, who seek certification and licensure for employment in EMS upon their return to civilian life.

These and other important requests will be made during EMS On The Hill Day on April 20 in Washington, D.C., the largest national EMS advocacy event, which draws hundreds of EMS professionals from around the country, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.

Raising Awareness of EMS, the Training of Military Medics and Patient-Centered Outcomes

Delegates attend Hill Day to raise awareness of issues impacting EMS and their ability to deliver high-quality patient care in their communities. Through face-to-face discussions with legislators and staffers, Hill Day attendees explain the essential role of EMS in our nation’s changing healthcare system and EMS’ unique ability to provide 24/7 medical resources that improve patient care and population health, as well as reduce healthcare costs.

“All EMS professionals have a responsibility to educate elected leaders on the needs of our patients and our ability to meet the emergent and preventive needs of our community,” said NAEMT President Conrad T. “Chuck” Kearns. “And everyone should answer the patriotic call to honor the training of our nation’s military medics. EMS On The Hill Day and the advocacy resources on the NAEMT website (naemt.org) make it easy to support the EMS profession and our veteran medics.”

EMS On The Hill Day is hosted by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT), supported by national and state EMS organizations, and draws a diverse EMS representation including practitioners, managers, educators and physicians.

Hill Day will be held in conjunction with a special EMS Transformation Summit — EMS 3.0 — on April 19. The Summit will draw experts from every facet of EMS to discuss strategies for EMS agencies to survive and thrive in our nation's changing healthcare system. For more information visit www.naemt.org.