Today Austin County Commissioner’s Court passed a resolution supporting Texas House Bill 3000 and Senate Bill 1377 the Rural Ambulance Service Grant Program. If approved, these bills will provide critical funding for maintaining and improving ambulance availability, EMS personnel training, and the sustainability of rural EMS providers in the State of Texas. Members of the Austin County Emergency Medical Services expressed their appreciation to Austin County Judge Tim Lapham, Precinct 1 Commissioner Greg Mikel, Precinct 2 Commissioner Bobby Rinn, Precinct 3 Commissioner Leroy Cerny, and Precinct 4 Commissioner Chip Reed for their unwavering support.
Senate Bill 1377, introduced by Senator Charles Perry and its companion bill HB 3000, introduced by Representative Ken King, strengthens rural emergency medical services in Texas by funding ambulance purchases for counties with populations under 68,750, prioritizing areas far from Level I trauma centers. By reducing financial strain, the bill helps EMS providers maintain reliable vehicles, preventing service disruptions and allowing more budget flexibility for training and staffing. It also prohibits counties from cutting EMS budgets after receiving grants, ensuring long-term sustainability. With a dedicated funding stream and required fiscal oversight, S.B. 1377 helps rural EMS providers improve emergency response times and patient care while maintaining financial stability.
