House Overwhelmingly Approves Bipartisan Legislation to Help Military Medics Transition to Civilian EMTs

WASHINGTON, DC – The House of Representatives today approved Energy and Commerce Committee legislation that would help military medics better integrate into civilian EMT jobs.

The Veteran Emergency Medical Technician Support Act (H.R. 235), authored by Reps. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and Lois Capps (D-CA), would provide demonstration grants to states with a shortage of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to streamline state-licensing requirements for military veteran EMTs to prevent unnecessary duplication in training. The legislation, which passed the House by voice vote, recognizes that military medics already have extensive medical training and should not have to start over to be a civilian EMT.

“Unemployment rates continue to be far too high among our veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. These returning men and women deserve a smooth transition from the military into the civilian workforce. As a nation, we must recognize the experience and education that our military-trained EMTs receive. It is inefficient to force these well-trained veterans to start over with basic training in the civilian workforce after aiding wounded men and women who were severely injured in combat. We must recognize military-trained EMTs skills and education and streamline the process so these honorable men and women can quickly return to work here at home,” said Rep. Kinzinger.

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