Public Health in the Rockies 2026

Background/Purpose: EMS readiness requires financial sustainability and predictability. Yet EMS organizations face a fundamental financing problem: they are reimbursed only for transports, creating perverse incentives misaligned with community health needs and emerging evidence on optimal care delivery. This financing structure threatens EMS readiness by limiting innovation and sustainable operations. Communities increasingly seek alternatives, such as treatment-in-place, integration with other health care facilities or community paramedicine, but financing barriers often prevent implementation. Understanding this landscape is essential for public health professionals partnering with EMS to find solutions for strengthening community readiness and access to care.

Methods: This session combines a landscape-setting presentation (15 minutes) with a facilitated panel discussion (40 minutes). The presentation will describe: how current EMS reimbursement undermine readiness; variation in community preferences for service types; and policy solutions emerging at local, state and federal levels. The panel then features EMS leaders implementing real-world alternatives that strengthen readiness and improve health care access while also requiring different payment approaches: treatment-in-place payment pilots, partnering with healthcare facilities, and community paramedicine programs. Audience Q&A and discussion follow.

Results/Key Findings: Participants will understand how financing structures directly affect EMS readiness; barriers to sustainable service delivery and health equity; concrete examples of alternative models that enhance readiness; and policy pathways forward.

Implications: "Stronger Together" requires public health professionals to understand EMS financing as central to readiness and policy solutions that align incentives with community health goals.

This structure requires 60 minutes to accomplish three goals: (1) establish a shared understanding of how financing impacts EMS readiness through a focused presentation; (2) showcase real-world solutions that strengthen readiness through panelist dialogue; and (3) enable meaningful audience engagement. This sequencing maximizes learning and interactive discussion. Dr. Buttorff will moderate the panel discussion and facilitate the audience Q&A.