The proposed bill aims to establish the "Emergency Medical Services Needs-Based Assessment and Funding Act" in West Virginia, which will require the Department of Health to conduct a comprehensive needs-based assessment of emergency medical services (EMS) every two years. This assessment will evaluate various factors such as call volume, response times, availability of resources, and financial stability of EMS providers. The findings from this assessment will inform a funding distribution formula that prioritizes agencies in high-need areas, ensuring that resources are allocated based on actual needs rather than equally across the board.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the Department of Health submit a report to the Legislature every two years detailing the assessment results, funding allocations, and recommendations for improvements. The Joint Committee on Government and Finance will review these reports to suggest necessary policy adjustments. The act also authorizes the department to propose legislative rules for its implementation and establishes an effective date upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16-4G-1, 16-4G-2, 16-4G-3, 16-4G-4, 16-4G-5, 16-4G-6, 16-4G-7, 16-4G-8
Committee Substitute: 16-4G-1, 16-4G-2, 16-4G-3, 16-4G-4, 16-4G-5, 16-4G-6, 16-4G-7, 16-4G-8