Congress continues funding for child-saving EMS equipment

The bill reauthorizes a program that helps EMS providers keep ready specific medicine and tools needed when treating younger patients

By Thomas Burr
The Salt Lake Tribune

WASHINGTON — Congress has voted to reauthorize a program to help emergency responders with the unique needs of children and adolescents, a move pushed by Utah’s Sen. Orrin Hatch and Rep. Jim Matheson.

The House on Tuesday voted 410-4 to continue the 30-year-old grant program for all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories that helps emergency medical services (EMS) crews stock limited doses of medicine and smaller equipment to help younger patients. The Senate approved the legislation last week. It now heads to President Barack Obama for his signature.

"Children present unique medical challenges and require specialized care, and [this] program continues to give medical personnel many of the tools they need to treat some of our country’s most vulnerable patients," Hatch said in a statement Tuesday.

Read full story: Congress passes Hatch, Matheson bill to help EMS providers