EMS funding increased

Lawmakers approved a bill April 11 intended to aid recruitment and retention of emergency medical personnel.

LB1108, sponsored by Adams Sen. Myron Dorn, requires the state treasurer to transfer $1.27 million from the state Game and Parks Commission Capital Maintenance Fund to the Nebraska Emergency Medical System Operations Fund each fiscal year beginning in June 2025.

The Nebraska Emergency Medical System Operations Fund, which is administered by the state Department of Health and Human Services, is used to carry out activities related to the design, maintenance or enhancement of the statewide trauma system and to support emergency medical services programs.

Under the bill, the fund also will be used to provide financial support for the statewide patient care reporting system and trauma registry and for the recruitment, retention and training of emergency care providers.

LB1108 also requires the department to submit an annual report to the Legislature that explains how the money appropriated to the department from the fund was spent or why it was not spent.

The bill passed on a vote of 46-0 and takes effect immediately.