67th Legislature SJ 22.1
1 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 22
2 INTRODUCED BY E. MCCLAFFERTY
3
4 A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF
5 MONTANA REQUESTING AN INTERIM STUDY OF THE VIABILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY OF MONTANA'S
6 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES.
7
8 WHEREAS, the Legislature recognizes the invaluable public service provided by Montana's paid and
9 volunteer emergency medical services and emergency care providers; and
10 WHEREAS, the average Montana resident will need an ambulance service at least twice in their
11 lifetime, and delays in receiving emergency care could contribute to death or permanent injury; and
12 WHEREAS, a Montana emergency medical care system of emergency medical services and hospitals
13 are essential elements of health care in Montana; and
14 WHEREAS, the Legislature has declared in section 50-6-101, MCA, that the loss of persons who die
15 unnecessarily because necessary life-support personnel and equipment are not available to victims of
16 accidents and sudden illness is a tragedy that can and must be eliminated; and
17 WHEREAS, the Department of Public Health and Human Services and the Montana Hospital
18 Association have released a joint report entitled "Emergency Medical Services in Montana: Crisis on the
19 Horizon", which demonstrates that emergency medical services across Montana are in crisis and identifies
20 critical problems relative to recruitment and retention, education, funding, and reimbursement, and other issues
21 which are putting the viability of Montana’s emergency medical care system at risk; and
22 WHEREAS, the role of state and local government and solutions to these issues are varied and
23 complex and warrant thorough analysis and understanding by the legislature.
24
25 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF
26 THE STATE OF MONTANA:
27 That the Legislative Council be requested to designate an appropriate interim committee or statutory
28 committee, pursuant to section 5-5-217, MCA, or direct sufficient staff resources to conduct a comprehensive
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1 study of Montana's emergency medical services and support needed for these services to remain viable in
2 Montana communities.
3 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the committee conducting the study shall:
4 (1) review various reports and studies about the emergency medical services system and emergency
5 medical services;
6 (2) review legislation introduced during previous legislative sessions intended to support and modify
7 emergency services and analyze the reasons for and the outcomes of the legislation;
8 (3) review how recruitment and retention, education, reciprocity, funding, medical oversight, and other
9 issues affect the availability of emergency medical services response, particularly in rural communities;
10 (4) review the benefits and support provided to paid and volunteer emergency medical services and
11 emergency care providers and the financial capacity of governments to provide the benefits and support;
12 (5) examine sources of revenue for emergency medical services and how services are reimbursed by
13 citizens, insurance companies, and state and federal agencies;
14 (6) review the system of medical direction of emergency care providers and how quality improvement
15 strategies can improve delivery of emergency medical response; and
16 (7) review the current structure of Montana’s emergency medical services system and determine
17 whether modifications to statutes or to state or local policies are warranted to achieve adequacy, consistency,
18 and regulatory efficiencies.
19 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that if the study is assigned to staff, any findings or conclusions be
20 presented to and reviewed by an appropriate committee designated by the Legislative Council.
21 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the committee that is assigned the study solicit participation and
22 input from local governments, paid and volunteer emergency medical services and emergency care providers,
23 representatives of emergency medical services and fire organizations, representatives from the Department of
24 Public Health and Human Services, the Department of Labor and Industry, the Montana Hospital Association,
25 the Montana Medical Association, and any other entity that the committee considers appropriate.
26 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all aspects of the study, including presentation and review
27 requirements, be concluded prior to September 15, 2022.
28 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the final results of the study, including any findings, conclusions,
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67th Legislature SJ 22.1
1 comments, or recommendations of the appropriate committee be reported to the 68th Legislature.
2 - END -
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