HARRISBURG – A bill has been introduced which creates a PA Office of EMS Commissioner. House Bill 1491 would create an independent office to operate within the Department of Health and assume all oversight of EMS in PA, replacing the current Bureau of EMS. It also would require the state EMS Commissioner to have a separate line item in the state budget and report directly to the governor. Bill sponsor, Rep. Martin Causer of Cameron, McKean, & Potter Counties said PA’s EMS system is in crisis and the Office of EMS is intended to spur action that will ultimately save lives. In the last two years, 50 EMS agencies ceased operations in PA. 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.
REP. MARTIN CAUSER