PARA-EMT Act Proposes $70M Annual Funding to Tackle Nationwide EMT & Paramedic Shortage

The PARA-EMT Act of 2025 rolls out a plan to address the critical shortage of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics across the country. It aims to do this primarily through two grant programs totaling $70 million per year from fiscal year 2026 through 2030, alongside a detailed study of the workforce problem. The core idea is to boost recruitment, improve training, and make it easier for veterans to transition into these vital civilian roles.

Filling the Ranks: Grants for Recruitment and Training

The bill establishes a five-year, $50 million annual pilot program managed by the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response. These grants, capped at $1 million per recipient, are earmarked for eligible EMS agencies—the local services responding to 911 calls. The money can be used for a range of activities designed to attract and keep staff: recruiting (including volunteers), funding training for licenses and certifications, running courses or apprenticeships, developing tech-based educational tools, and even establishing wellness programs, including mental health support, for personnel stressed by the demands of the job. There's also specific funding allocated for training staff to handle emergencies involving mental health and substance use disorders. Priority goes to agencies focusing on recruiting young people (especially from rural or low-income backgrounds), those helping veterans transition, and smaller or rural agencies. In fact, the bill mandates that at least 20% of these funds must support EMS agencies serving rural populations, acknowledging the particular challenges faced outside urban centers.

A Bridge for Veterans: From Military Medic to Civilian EMT

Recognizing the skills veterans gain in service, a separate $20 million annual demonstration grant program is proposed specifically for states. The goal is to smooth the path for veterans with military emergency medical training to meet civilian EMT or paramedic certification and licensing requirements. States receiving these grants would use the funds to cover costs like additional training or education needed to bridge any gaps, certification exams, credentialing, and state licensing fees. This directly tackles the bureaucratic hurdles that can prevent experienced military medics from quickly joining the civilian workforce where they are desperately needed.

Getting the Lay of the Land: Studying the Shortage

Beyond immediate funding, the Act mandates a deep dive into the workforce problem itself. The Secretary of Labor, in collaboration with Health and Human Services, is tasked with studying the EMT and paramedic workforce. This isn't just a headcount; the study needs to analyze current job numbers, project future needs through 2034, figure out why people are leaving the field, assess if training programs can keep up, and ultimately quantify the expected shortage. The findings, along with recommendations—potentially including adding these jobs to 'Schedule A' (a list of occupations for which there are insufficient U.S. workers, potentially streamlining immigration pathways for qualified individuals)—must be reported to Congress within a year. This data is crucial for shaping longer-term strategies to ensure that when you call for help, someone is available to respond.