Jack, sign and send the petition: Demand that Congress reform Emergency Medical Services!
SIGN AND SEND THE PETITION
Vern Greyn fell 12 feet off a tractor bucket in Montana and could not move after striking his head. The volunteer paramedic, who happened to be his daughter-in-law, couldn't move him by herself. Vern had to wait for a half-hour before an ambulance crew in the next town came to help.
That's typical in Montana, where 20% of emergency medical services (EMS) agencies have trouble responding to calls, and 34% of agencies occasionally don't respond at all. Thirty-nine states don't classify EMS as essential. They also lack an overseeing federal agency that can impose national guidelines.
Sign and send the petition: Write to your U.S. representative and tell them how vital paramedics are to your community.
SIGN AND SEND THE PETITION
The money incentives in the industry just create more problems. Most people call 911 for non-life-threatening reasons, but EMS companies can only charge patients and get reimbursed if they take them to the hospital. That puts pressure on paramedics to bring patients to the hospital even if they don't require it.
In small rural communities like Vern's in Montana, ambulance services are often the only lifeline they have during a health emergency. Lack of funding and volunteers has left many at risk of closing.
We need to reform this essential part of our communities. Sign and send the petition: Tell your U.S. representative you want an overhaul of the EMS system now!
SIGN AND SEND THE PETITION
Thank you for fighting with us,
Mayra Souza, Daily Kos
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