The Oklahoma Senate has advanced a measure by Senator Tom Woods, R-Westville, to declare emergency medical services provided by public entities as essential services for the purpose of qualifying for federal funding.

Senate Bill 206 provides that ambulance services provided by a municipality, county, ambulance service district, or other public entity shall be considered essential services.

Woods noted that expanded access to federal funding opportunities is critical for Oklahoma’s most rural counties.

“In Oklahoma’s rural counties, every second counts when a medical emergency arises and the nearest hospital is a considerable distance away,” Woods said. “This bill will expand funding opportunities to our local EMS providers, which would give them the ability to purchase additional life-saving equipment to improve outcomes and safety for both EMTs and the patients they serve.”

Woods added that he introduced the measure in response to Adair County constituents’ advocacy for increased EMS funding.

He crafted the bill in collaboration with Dianna Yell, a member of the Adair County EMS Board of Trustees with more than 20 years of experience as a volunteer first responder and licensed EMT. Former Adair County EMS Interim Director and medic Lisa Tidwell contributed to the bill by conducting research on how public EMS services can benefit from being designated as essential.

“I extend my appreciation to the dedicated first responders of Senate District 4 for their expertise and commitment in helping craft this legislation,” Woods said. “I also extend my gratitude to my Senate colleagues for supporting this measure, which will help ensure that rural communities have the resources they need to save lives.”

SB 206 now advances to the House of Representatives, where Rep. Carl Newton, R-Cherokee, is carrying the bill.