An Act to renumber and amend 39.378 (1); to amend 39.378 (4); to create 39.378 (1) (b) and 39.378 (2m) and (3m) of the statutes; Relating to: tuition and materials reimbursement for community paramedics and community emergency medical services practitioners. (FE)
Summary
SB974 expands Wisconsin’s existing tuition-and-materials reimbursement program for emergency medical training. Under current law, the Higher Educational Aids Board must reimburse individuals or their employers for costs associated with training needed for initial certification or licensure as an emergency medical responder or emergency medical services practitioner. This bill adds a new reimbursement pathway for people completing training to become approved by the Department of Health Services as a community paramedic or a community emergency medical services practitioner.
The bill specifies who may receive reimbursement and when. Eligible recipients would include an individual who personally paid the tuition or materials for a DHS-approved community paramedic or community EMS practitioner training program, as well as an employer that paid those costs on behalf of the applicant. Reimbursement would be available only after the individual completes the relevant training program and receives DHS approval under the applicable statutes. The bill also updates the application provision so both the existing program and the new community-based EMS reimbursement categories use the same application process administered by the board.
Impact
SB974 would amend section 39.378 of the Wisconsin statutes to broaden the state reimbursement program administered by the Higher Educational Aids Board. It would create new statutory categories for community paramedics and community emergency medical services practitioners, while preserving the existing reimbursement structure for other EMS credentials. The practical effect is to shift some training costs for these specialized public-safety roles from individuals and employers to the state, subject to program rules and approval requirements.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been generally supportive in concept, as reflected by its introduction with multiple bipartisan cosponsors and its focus on workforce development in emergency medical services. However, there is no recorded committee transcript or vote history in the provided materials, and the bill ultimately failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1. That suggests the proposal did not advance through the full legislative process despite its broad sponsorship.
Contention
The main policy issue is whether the state should extend reimbursement beyond traditional EMS certification and licensure to newer community-based EMS roles. Supporters would likely view the bill as a way to encourage training, expand the EMS workforce, and help employers recruit and retain personnel. Potential concerns could include the fiscal cost of expanding reimbursements, the scope of eligible training programs, and whether state funds should cover employer-paid tuition and materials for these specialized approvals. No specific objections are documented in the provided record.
Crossfiled
An Act to renumber and amend 39.378 (1); to amend 39.378 (4); to create 39.378 (1) (b) and 39.378 (2m) and (3m) of the statutes; Relating to: tuition and materials reimbursement for community paramedics and community emergency medical services practitioners. (FE)
Emergency medical services education, tuition and materials reimbursement for emergency medical responders and emergency medical services practitioners, and a live 911 pilot program. (FE)
Emergency medical services education, tuition and materials reimbursement for emergency medical responders and emergency medical services practitioners, and a live 911 pilot program. (FE)
Providing for certification of community paramedicine providers, for community paramedicine service coverage by casualty insurance carriers and for medical assistance reimbursement.
Community Health, Department of; submit a waiver request to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to authorize the qualification of certain caregivers for Medicaid reimbursement
Requires reimbursement for medical, dental, and behavioral health services provided at community health care centers to equal the lesser of the actual cost, based on Medicaid reports, or 125% of the median rate for all community health centers within RI.
Requires reimbursement for medical, dental, and behavioral health services provided at community health care centers to equal the lesser of the actual cost, based on Medicaid reports, or 125% of the median rate for all community health centers within RI.
Provides supplemental appropriation of $20 million for loan redemption program and tuition reimbursement program for certain teachers of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Relating to a refund of sales and use taxes or a credit against the franchise tax for certain small employers who contribute to an individual coverage health reimbursement arrangement.