Advocacy Can Save Lives

Did you know there is no unified EMS operating system or funding structure? Although the Pennsylvania Statute (Title 35, Section 8102, paragraph 7) states that “emergency medical services should be acknowledged, promoted, and supported as an essential public service”, state policy does not actually mandate that municipalities treat EMS as an essential service when preparing budgets. As a result, EMS agencies do not receive mandatory public support through the tax base in the same manner as fire and law enforcement services. Instead, municipalities and townships have the option to voluntarily provide funds in response to our requests for support. In 2025, municipalities served by Lancaster EMS only met 57.5% of the support requested (covering just 2% of expenses).
Many people believe that because the EMS agency bills insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid, the agency receives payment that cover the costs of providing our vital services. However, this is not the case; in fact, we collect less than 50 cents of every $1 we bill. Federal funding cuts for Medicaid also present a serious threat, as more uninsured people will lead to more unreimbursed service calls, and restrictions on federal contributions will further reduce levels of reimbursement. Lancaster EMS does not turn away patients or service calls, so when Medicare and Medicaid payments fall short of service costs Lancaster EMS will have to absorb an even greater share of the costs to provide 9-1-1 ambulance services without support from our municipalities.
When EMS agencies do not receive the financial support they need to operate, they are forced to reduce service levels, not provide competitive wages for their employees, or, in some cases, close down operations. Since 2020, the demand for emergency and non-emergency service calls in Lancaster County has increased over 50%. In 2025, Lancaster EMS responded to 57,505 requests for service. Despite the obvious and critical need for emergency medical services for every resident of Pennsylvania, we lack any requirement that truly ensures its provision.

What Can You Do?

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