The Community Paramedicine Act of 2025 establishes a grant program administered by HRSA to fund specially trained paramedics providing mobile healthcare services, particularly in rural and Tribal communities.
Emanuel Cleaver
Representative
MO-5
The Community Paramedicine Act of 2025 establishes a new grant program administered by HRSA to support specially trained paramedics providing mobile healthcare services outside of emergency calls, primarily in rural areas. Eligible non-profit entities can apply for up to $\$1.5$ million over five years to fund staffing, equipment, training, and medical oversight for these patient-centered services. The bill specifically reserves a portion of funding for Tribal community programs and requires rigorous reporting on program outcomes.
New Community Paramedicine Grants Deliver Mobile Healthcare to Rural Areas, Capping Admin Costs at 5%
The Community Paramedicine Act of 2025 is setting up a brand-new federal grant program aimed squarely at improving healthcare access in rural America. Think of it as putting the paramedic station on wheels and sending them out for regular check-ups, not just emergencies. This program, run through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), is designed to fund mobile healthcare—called community paramedicine—where specially trained paramedics handle things like chronic disease management and connecting people to primary care, keeping them out of the emergency room.
The Mobile Clinic: What These Paramedics Will Actually Do
This isn’t about replacing your doctor; it’s about filling gaps, especially in areas where the nearest clinic is an hour away. The bill defines community paramedicine as integrated mobile healthcare where these specially trained professionals address health issues, improve access to primary care for underserved folks, and, crucially, make sure 911 resources aren't tied up with non-emergency calls. For a resident with diabetes in a remote county, this could mean a regular visit from a paramedic to check blood sugar levels and make sure they’re sticking to their care plan, preventing a costly and unnecessary trip to the hospital.
Who Gets the Money and What They Can Buy
The grants are specifically for existing emergency medical services (EMS) agencies, States, Tribes, counties, and cities—but not for-profit companies. This is a key detail: if you’re a private, for-profit ambulance service, you’re sitting this one out. Successful applicants can receive up to $750,000 individually or $1,500,000 if they apply jointly with other groups, with the grant lasting up to five years. The money is meant to cover essential operational costs: hiring and keeping staff, buying gear like vehicles and supplies, covering the medical director’s oversight, and training new community paramedics. There is a catch, though: the bill allows funds to be used for “anything the Secretary thinks is appropriate for paramedicine services,” which is a pretty broad authorization and gives the Secretary a lot of discretion over how this public money is spent.
Targeting Tribal and Rural Needs
Recognizing the acute needs of Tribal communities, the bill requires that 15 percent of the total grant funding each fiscal year must be reserved for programs serving one or more Tribal communities. This is a significant set-aside aimed at directing resources to historically underserved populations. Furthermore, the grants include strict limits on overhead: grantees can use up to 10 percent of the first year’s funding for administrative costs, but that cap drops sharply to only 5 percent for every subsequent year. This low administrative cap aims to ensure the vast majority of the funding goes straight to patient care and boots-on-the-ground services, which is good news for taxpayers who want their dollars spent on direct care, not bureaucracy.