Galesburg Reporter

Legislation that would allow for people with active medical licenses to skip the required credential process in rural areas to volunteer as an EMT advanced through the House. 

The bill states that nurses, physician assistants, and advanced practice registered nurses that have active licenses may apply to volunteer as EMTs, as they are able to do the same work as certified EMTs. This is an attempt to get more volunteers and recruitments for EMTs in rural areas. 

"It is amazing the attitude of people wanting to give back to their communities.  After all our medical professionals have endured along with so many others, our rural communities are seeing an increase in wanting to give back my medical professionals," bill sponsor Rep. Daniel Swanson (R-Alpha) said in an April 28 Facebook post. "This legislation will allow for a smoother transition into the volunteer service for medical professionals."

In a release about the legislation, Swanson said rural areas are having problems finding volunteer EMTs. However, these areas have plenty of residents medically registered in other ways that are "capable of serving in this capacity if we allow for this efficiency," Swanson said. 

HB 2864 received bipartisan, unanimous support and approval previously by the Health Care Licenses Committee before moving to the Illinois House April 22.