Albany, NY – State Legislators are providing an update on the passage of several bills aimed at supporting Emergency Medical Services (EMS) during the recently concluded legislative session. It is part of their ongoing efforts to address the many challenges facing EMS providers across the state, including funding and staffing shortfalls.

A coalition of NYS Legislators have worked closely with Volunteer Ambulance organizations, the NYS Association of Counties, the NY Conference of Mayors, and others on a “#RescueEMS” legislative package for several years. This year, the following three bills passed both houses of the State Legislature:

1. A2177 Lupardo/S1515 May removes expenditures for EMS from the limit on real property tax levies by local governments. This will provide municipalities with the flexibility needed to better support providers who are part of their taxing districts.

2. A8086A Otis/S7501A Mayer requires that local governments develop and maintain comprehensive county emergency medical system plans. The process will require counties, cities, towns, and villages to work together to assess current service levels, identify existing service gaps, and estimate costs for providing such services. (A previous version of the bill (A8086/S7501) would have also designated general ambulance services as an essential service, but the amended bill that passed both houses of the legislature did not include this important provision.)

3. A34 Eachus/S31 Comrie requires the Thruway Authority to issue emergency service permits to ambulance and fire vehicles, exempting them from paying roadway tolls while responding to an emergency operation. 

Assemblymember Donna Lupardo said, “For the past few years we have been chipping away at our #RescueEMS bill package, making progress along the way. This included allowing EMS to direct bill, and to get paid for treating someone in place, or when bringing them to an alternative location other than a hospital. Giving municipalities the option to invest more in EMS, without concern for the tax cap, will be a real game-changer for many. I’d like to thank all of my colleagues who advocated for these changes; it was a real bipartisan effort.”

Senator Rachel May said, “In an emergency, people deserve reliable EMS services, which means adequate staffing and fast response times. Too often, our small communities have had the desire to increase EMS funding but were limited in their abilities to do so. This legislation removes EMS funding from the property tax cap, giving those communities the autonomy to provide more responsive care for the benefit of their residents. Thank you to Assemblymember Lupardo for her work in the Assembly to empower local governments while prioritizing health and safety.”

Assemblymember Joe Angelino said, “For far too long, Emergency Medical Services in New York have been facing hardships due to a lack of investment from the state. Fortunately, the bipartisan “#RescueEMS” will make changes to help alleviate those hardships and help EMS providers remain effective, ensuring people will continue to have access to life-saving services. We as legislators must do everything in our power to ensure quality EMS providers remain in New York, and I am proud to play a role in doing so. I look forward to the governor signing our legislative package into law.”

Assemblymember Steve Otis said, “EMS is facing a statewide crisis with staffing, response times and coverage, all trending in the wrong direction. Our planning legislation will bring together all counties, cities, towns and villages to draft county plans to support programs that work and arrive at solutions for areas where services need to be enhanced. Senator Mayer and I have championed the importance of understanding the different ways EMS is provided throughout the state and being guided by local judgements as to the best ways to grow services. With the passage of these three bills both houses of the legislature continue to make EMS issues a priority. We look forward to working with everyone involved in EMS throughout the state and with Governor Hochul, the Department of Health, and bipartisan support in both houses of the legislature to provide reliable services to all New Yorkers.”

Senator Shelley Mayer said, "EMS is a vital but terribly stressed resource, necessary for the health and well-being of communities across New York. For years, Assemblyman Otis and I have listened to our diverse providers and worked to identify solutions to support them. I am so pleased the legislature has taken such important steps to strengthen our essential emergency services. This modest package, including our bill that starts at the local level to require Counties to work with regional emergency medical services to assess current service levels and develop a plan to ensure every New Yorker is provided reliable service. We have more work to do to ensure our EMS providers and systems are as strong and supported as they need to be, but I am so pleased we have taken these steps. I appreciate the support my colleagues and Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins have provided this effort."

Assemblymember Chris Eachus said, “As a representative with volunteer ambulance corps that rely on the New York State Thruway to respond to emergencies, this bill is indispensable to our community. This legislation will save precious time currently wasted on filling out forms, reduce costs for our EMS teams and free up funding that can be used towards additional resources that will save lives. I thank my colleagues for recognizing the importance of this issue and getting this bill to the finish line.”

Senator Leroy Comrie said, “Emergency medical services are the backbone of public safety and we have a responsibility to remove barriers that stand in the way of their work. Our legislation ensures that ambulances and fire vehicles responding to emergencies aren’t forced to stop and pay tolls while lives are on the line. I’m proud to stand with my colleagues in supporting common sense measures that protect our EMS providers and strengthen the system they operate in."

NYSAC President and Westchester County Legislator Benjamin Boykin II said, "EMS providers across New York State are facing a crisis driven by rising costs, increasing demand, and the growing complexity of the care they deliver. By exempting EMS from the property tax cap, granting EMS vehicles toll exemptions on the Thruway, and bringing counties together with regional emergency medical services councils, the legislation passed during this legislative session will give local governments the financial flexibility they need to expand and stabilize services and provide meaningful, short-term financial support to EMS providers while broader reforms are developed. We thank Assemblymembers Lupardo, Otis, and Eachus, and Senators May, Mayer, and Comrie for their leadership and commitment to the ongoing effort to Rescue EMS.”

Barbara J. Van Epps, Executive Director, New York State Conference of Mayors (NYCOM) said, “NYCOM applauds the State Legislature for recognizing the urgent need to invest in emergency medical services across our state. The passage of these three bills marks a positive step towards strengthening our emergency services and ensuring that municipalities have access to the lifesaving tools and resources necessary to protect their residents. We are especially grateful to Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo for her tireless leadership and commitment to addressing the crisis.”