Reps. Cleaver, Harshbarger Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Paramedicine Services Nationwide

(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) have introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen and expand paramedicine services in rural communities across the country. The Community Paramedicine Act of 2025 (CPA) would expand the scope of rural health grants to include mobile integrated health and community paramedicine grantees, enabling Americans in rural communities to receive centralized, mobile, and preventative care through local paramedics, an increasingly popular initiative in healthcare known as Community Paramedicine.

“Across Missouri, rural communities are struggling to access quality healthcare that is both affordable and convenient, with far too many Missourians having to travel long distances to get the care they need, which can often be as costly as it is frustrating for families,” said Congressman Cleaver. “This challenge requires innovative solutions that help bring physicians directly to the people—and that’s precisely what community paramedicine seeks to do. I’m proud to introduce the Community Paramedicine Act with Congresswoman Harshbarger to expand this popular and growing practice to more communities, so Missouri families can get the care they deserve at lower costs and right at their door.”

“Mobile Integrated Healthcare-Community Paramedicine is a smart, innovative solution that delivers the right care at the right time — especially for patients with chronic conditions or in rural and underserved areas,” said Rep. Harshbarger. “As co-chair of the Congressional Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus, I’m proud to help introduce this budget-neutral bill, which will empower our emergency medical services professionals and firefighters to build these community programs for reducing unnecessary emergency room visits, improving health outcomes, and potentially saving billions in healthcare costs.”

“Early medical intervention can save the health care system billions by addressing time-critical issues and preventing costly emergency care and hospitalizations,” said Chief Chris Way, President of the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians. “Mobile Integrated Healthcare-Community Paramedicine (MIH-CP) is an innovative way for EMTs and Paramedics to provide patient-centered mobile care outside the hospital to lower health care costs and improve patient outcomes. MIH-CP helps to address the gaps in patient care and prevent acute exacerbations of illness, instead of waiting to provide medical care until patients need 911 response. NAEMT applauds Representative Diana Harshberger (R-TN) and Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) for introducing the Community Paramedicine Act, which would provide funding opportunities for EMS agencies across the nation to provide evidence-based, cost-saving, and innovative ways for EMTs and Paramedics to provide patient-centered care outside of the hospital and improve patients’ health status, in collaboration with other health care professionals and providers. We ask Congress to pass this bill and help create, maintain, and sustain MIH-CP programs across our country.”

For some patients – including those who are uninsured, underinsured, homebound, medically fragile, or live in rural areas – their access to care relies primarily on 9-1-1, EMTs, and the hospital emergency room. Over 57 million Americans must travel a lengthy distance to reach their nearest physician, with rural Americans experiencing the most travel time, as only 11% of physicians work in rural settings. With a demand for physician services that outpaces available appointments, many residents are currently left medically underserved. 

Community Paramedicine combats this by improving care accessibility for underserved communities and bringing health care to Americans’ doorsteps. Community Paramedicine programs can provide check-ups, health education, preventative care, and transportation. These services improve patient access to diagnostic testing, specialized service referrals, and transportation to medical appointments. 

Moreover, studies have shown that Community Paramedicine programs can save thousands of dollars per year per patient by helping people lead healthier lives and decreasing healthcare emergencies. For example, Community Paramedicine visits can help a person living with heart failure, asthma, COPD, or diabetes avoid acute emergencies. A study in eastern Massachusetts showed that their Community Paramedicine model saved over $1,900 per case and nearly $6 million in a year.

The Community Paramedicine Act of 2025 would expand the scope of rural health grants authorized under Sec. 330A of the Public Health Services Act to include mobile integrated health and community paramedicine grantees. As of now, Rural Health Care Services Outreach Grants, Rural Health Network Development Grants, and Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement Grants share the authorization under Sec. 330A. None of these, however, address community paramedicine. The Community Paramedicine Act of 2025 would add a fourth grant program to the existing authorization. The legislation budget neutral and does not authorize any new spending.

The Community Paramedicine Act of 2025 is endorsed by the American Ambulance Association (AAA), National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT), International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), International Association of Fire Chiefs, National Rural Health Association, Mid-America Regional Council Emergency Rescue (MERCER), Missouri Ambulance Association, Missouri Emergency Medical Services Association, Kansas Emergency Medical Services Association, Tennessee Association of EMS Providers.

Official text of the Community Paramedicine Act of 2025 is available here.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.