Jun. 04, 2025
HARRISBURG – With the situation facing emergency medical services (EMS) becoming more dire every day, Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) has introduced legislation to create a Pennsylvania Office of EMS Commissioner.
“EMS agencies across the state are struggling to keep their doors open, yet there’s little urgency from the state’s chief executive to address the problems,” Causer said. “A timely EMS response is critical and can mean the difference between life and death for countless patients across the Commonwealth. We can and must do better.”
House Bill 1491 seeks to create an independent Office of EMS Commissioner to operate within the Department of Health. The office would assume all oversight of EMS in the Commonwealth, replacing the current Bureau of EMS, which is buried in the bureaucracy of the Department of Health.
The bill also would require the state EMS Commissioner to have a separate line item in the state budget and to report directly to the governor.
“In the last two years alone, 50 EMS agencies ceased operations in the Commonwealth. Hospitals, especially in rural areas, are reducing services, making ambulance services even more vital, especially in rural areas where people already live far from health care facilities,” Causer said. “Our EMS system is in crisis right now, but not enough people in power are listening. The Office of EMS is intended to elevate the voices of our EMS providers and spur action that will ultimately save lives.”
The bill also would establish a new statewide EMS advisory board to help advise and make recommendations to stabilize the state’s EMS delivery system. It is designed to operate in similar fashion to both the Commonwealth’s current state fire advisory board and the 911 advisory board, two very active and successful boards.
Causer serves as a volunteer EMT and life member with Port Area Ambulance Service in McKean County.
He has long been an advocate for EMS services across the state, having authored legislation to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates and provide more affordable and accessible training opportunities. He has supported efforts to modify staffing requirements and require direct payment by insurance companies to ambulance service providers.
This session, in addition to the EMS commissioner legislation, he has introduced
House Bill 857, which would ensure Medicaid reimbursement for treatment provided, even when transport does not take place.
Representative Martin T. Causer
67th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Patricia A. Hippler
717.772.9846
phippler@pahousegop.com
RepCauser.com / Facebook.com/RepCauser