HELENA, Mont. — Montana voters will decide whether or not to expand the current scope of EMS providers to allow veterans to receive extra care.
The Billings Gazette reported ballot initiative 179 would permit EMTs with special training to provide veterans with health assessments, suicide prevention and other services that are not typically provided by first responders.
“We’re trying to make it easier for veterans to get care,” said Ed Lesofski, who wrote and submitted the initiative. “They can’t wait. These veterans need help, and they need it quickly and more consistently.”
If Montana voters approve the initiative, a voluntary CVEMT license would be created that would include training in a wide variety of subjects in addition to regular EMT training. CVEMTs would be knowledgeable in areas of suicide prevention and intervention, non-medical counseling, exercise physiology, pharmacology, palliative care, and veteran advocacy, among other things.
Montana has one of the highest rates of veteran suicide in the nation.
Lesofski said the need for the initiative stems from the severely understaffed Veterans Affairs Department and a lack of plans to reduce veteran suicides. He believes the initiative would be a way to address veteran health at a community level.
“People expect EMTs to do this, but they don’t know that they can’t right now,” Lesofski said. “Is the initiative perfect? No. But it gives the framework.”
So far the initiative has received about 5,000 signatures and it needs a total of 21,475 by June 17 to be on the general election ballot. Learn more about the initiative on the website Yes for Vets.
The Montana Board of Medical Examiners will oversee the implementation, rules and governance if the initiative is successful.