New Jersey Assembly Bill A1243

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Establishes Emergency Medical Services Provider Safety Grant Program in DOH; appropriates $10 million.

Impact

The bill allocates a total of $10 million from the federal Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund, part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, to fund this grant program. Eligible providers include those actively delivering EMS in New Jersey, who will be able to apply for funding to purchase essentials such as personal protective equipment, advanced cleaning supplies, and other necessary safety items. The availability of funds will influence grant amounts and distributions, which are limited to what is appropriated under the act.

Summary

Assembly Bill A1243 proposes the establishment of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Provider Safety Grant Program within the New Jersey Department of Health, aimed at supporting emergency medical services providers. The bill seeks to provide financial assistance through one-time, competitive grants to help EMS providers offset the costs of acquiring vital safety equipment. The intention behind this legislation is to enhance the health and safety standards for EMS providers, particularly in the wake of challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Contention

The EMS Provider Safety Grant Program is designed to prioritize applications based on specific criteria: the number of service calls, the size of the service area population, and the impact of COVID-19 on local EMS resources. This introduces a competitive element that may result in disparities in how funds are allocated among EMS providers, potentially raising concerns about equity and access to necessary resources across different regions. Furthermore, the bill's provision that the program will end once funds are completely expended may also lead to uncertainty in ongoing support for EMS providers beyond initial distributions.