On Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, KHI held a discussion focused on policy considerations and opportunities related to community paramedicine, which is an emerging model of care that allows and enables paramedics, EMTs and other clinicians to deliver non-emergent public health, primary and preventive services to populations in the community. These services extend beyond the roles of traditional transportation and emergency care and generally seek to increase access to care, improve patient outcomes, and avoid duplication of existing services.
David Jordan, President & CEO of the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, led the discussion and Wyatt J. Beckman, M.P.H., C.H.E.S., KHI Senior Analyst, provided follow-up information. An expert panel, which included individuals with experience implementing and delivering community paramedicine services and national policy experts in the field of mobile integrated health, followed. Linda J. Sheppard, J.D., KHI Senior Analyst & Strategy Team Leader, provided closing remarks.
Panelists included:
- Justin Duncan, CEO, Washington County Ambulance District; President, Missouri EMS Association (MEMSA)
- Mark Heath, Assistant Chief, Kansas City Kansas Fire Department
- Deb Kaufman, Director, Sheridan County EMS; Chair of Education, Examination, Training and Certification (EETC), Kansas Board of EMS
- Scott Willits, Director of MIH Strategy, Medically Home; Board Member, National Association of Mobile Integrated Healthcare Providers.
A recording of the event is posted below.