[House Report 114-552]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
114th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session } { 114-552
======================================================================
VETERAN EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN SUPPORT ACT OF 2016
_______
May 10, 2016.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Upton, from the Committee on Energy and Commerce, submitted the
following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 1818]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Energy and Commerce, to whom was referred
the bill (H.R. 1818) to amend the Public Health Service Act to
provide grants to States to streamline State requirements and
procedures for veterans with military emergency medical
training to become civilian emergency medical technicians,
having considered the same, report favorably thereon with an
amendment and recommend that the bill as amended do pass.
CONTENTS
Page
Purpose and Summary.............................................. 2
Background and Need for Legislation.............................. 2
Hearings......................................................... 3
Committee Consideration.......................................... 3
Committee Votes.................................................. 3
Committee Oversight Findings..................................... 3
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............ 3
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures 3
Earmark, Limited Tax Benefits, and Limited Tariff Benefits....... 3
Committee Cost Estimate.......................................... 3
Congressional Budget Office Estimate............................. 4
Federal Mandates Statement....................................... 5
Duplication of Federal Programs.................................. 5
Disclosure of Directed Rule Makings.............................. 5
Advisory Committee Statement..................................... 5
Applicability to Legislative Branch.............................. 5
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation................... 6
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............ 6
The amendment is as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Veteran Emergency Medical Technician
Support Act of 2016''.
SEC. 2. ASSISTING VETERANS WITH MILITARY EMERGENCY MEDICAL TRAINING TO
MEET REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING CIVILIAN EMERGENCY
MEDICAL TECHNICIANS.
Part B of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 243
et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 314 the following:
``SEC. 315. ASSISTING VETERANS WITH MILITARY EMERGENCY MEDICAL TRAINING
TO MEET REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING CIVILIAN
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS.
``(a) Program.--The Secretary shall establish a program consisting of
awarding demonstration grants to States to streamline State
requirements and procedures in order to assist veterans who completed
military emergency medical technician training while serving in the
Armed Forces of the United States to meet certification, licensure, and
other requirements applicable to becoming an emergency medical
technician in the State.
``(b) Use of Funds.--Amounts received as a demonstration grant under
this section shall be used to prepare and implement a plan to
streamline State requirements and procedures as described in subsection
(a), including by--
``(1) determining the extent to which the requirements for
the education, training, and skill level of emergency medical
technicians in the State are equivalent to requirements for the
education, training, and skill level of military emergency
medical technicians; and
``(2) identifying methods, such as waivers, for military
emergency medical technicians to forgo or meet any such
equivalent State requirements.
``(c) Eligibility.--To be eligible for a grant under this section, a
State shall demonstrate that the State has a shortage of emergency
medical technicians.
``(d) Report.--The Secretary shall submit to the Congress an annual
report on the program under this section.
``(e) Funding.--No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated
for the purpose of carrying out this section. This section shall be
carried out using amounts otherwise available for such purpose.''.
Purpose and Summary
H.R. 1818, the ``Veteran Emergency Medical Technician
Support Act of 2016,'' was introduced by Rep. Adam Kinzinger
(R-IL) on April 15, 2015.
The legislation amends the Public Health Service Act to
provide grants to states to streamline state requirements and
procedures for veterans with military emergency medical
training to become civilian emergency medical technicians
(EMT).
Background and Need for Legislation
Members of the U.S. military who trained as combat medics
face state licensing challenges when they try to find similar
work after discharge. Many states do not recognize their
qualifications as applicable to the licensing requirements of
the civilian health care system for emergency medical services,
such as EMTs or paramedics. State licensing laws vary, and
while some states make exceptions for former military medics to
allow for reciprocity and a chance to sit for the licensing
exam without repeating their training, many states do not.
H.R. 1818 would provide demonstration grants to states with
EMT shortages to help streamline State requirements for
veterans to enter the EMT workforce without unnecessary
duplication of their training. No additional funds are
authorized to be appropriated for this legislation.
Hearings
On January 27, 2015, the Subcommittee on Health held a
hearing on a discussion draft of H.R. 1818. The Subcommittee
received testimony from:
LTC (Ret.) Ben Chlapek, the National Association
of Emergency Medical Technicians.
Committee Consideration
On April 20, 2016 the Subcommittee on Health met in open
markup session and forwarded H.R. 1818 to the full Committee,
without amendment, by a voice vote. On April 26, 27, and 28,
2016, the full Committee on Energy and Commerce met in open
markup session and ordered H.R. 1818 reported to the House, as
amended, by a voice vote.
Committee Votes
Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives requires the Committee to list the record votes
on the motion to report legislation and amendments thereto.
There were no record votes taken in connection with ordering
H.R. 1818 reported.
Committee Oversight Findings
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee held a hearing and made
findings that are reflected in this report.
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives
The goal of the legislation is to help veteran EMTs to
enter the civilian EMT workforce without unnecessary
duplication of their training.
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures
In compliance with clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, the Committee finds that H.R.
1818 would result in no new or increased budget authority,
entitlement authority, or tax expenditures or revenues.
Earmark, Limited Tax Benefits, and Limited Tariff Benefits
In compliance with clause 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI
of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee
finds that H.R. 1818 contains no earmarks, limited tax
benefits, or limited tariff benefits.
Committee Cost Estimate
The Committee adopts as its own the cost estimate prepared
by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to
section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
Congressional Budget Office Estimate
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the following is the cost estimate
provided by the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section
402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974:
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, May 6, 2016.
Hon. Fred Upton,
Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 1818, the Veteran
Emergency Medical Technician Support Act of 2016.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Lisa Ramirez-
Branum.
Sincerely,
Keith Hall.
Enclosure.
H.R. 1818--Veteran Emergency Medical Technician Support Act of 2016
Summary: H.R. 1818 would direct the Secretary of Health and
Human Services (HHS) to award demonstration grants to states to
streamline procedures for licensing and certifying emergency
medical technicians (EMT) who received similar certifications
while serving in the armed forces.
CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 1818 would cost $30
million over the 2017-2021 period; any such spending would be
subject to the availability of appropriated funds. Pay-as-you-
go procedures do not apply to this legislation because it would
not affect direct spending or revenues. CBO estimates that
enacting H.R. 1818 would not increase net direct spending or
on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year
periods beginning in 2027.
H.R. 1818 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA).
Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated
budgetary effect of H.R. 1818 is shown in the following table.
The costs of this legislation fall within budget function 550
(health).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
-----------------------------------------------------------------
2017-
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2021
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCREASES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION
Estimated Authorization Level................. 3 5 8 11 12 39
Estimated Outlays............................. 1 3 6 9 11 30
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basis of estimate: The bill would authorize a demonstration
program of grants to states to help them streamline
requirements and procedures necessary for licensing emergency
medical technicians who have backgrounds and experience as
military medical technicians.
Based on information from the Department of Labor's interim
report on the Veterans' Licensing and Certification
Demonstration, CBO expects most states would use grant funds
provided by HHS to provide training and education assistance to
veterans who would like to become a certified or licensed EMT.
Based on data from the Department of Defense and information
from training providers, CBO estimates that approximately 5,000
veterans per year would participate in the training program
once it is fully implemented and that training costs would
average about $2,000 per participant. In total, CBO estimates
that implementing H.R. 1818 would cost $30 million over the
2017-2021 period; such spending would be subject to the
availability of appropriated funds.
Pay-As-You-Go considerations: None.
Increase in long-term direct spending and deficits: CBO
estimates that enacting H.R. 1818 would not increase net direct
spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive
10-year periods beginning in 2027.
Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: H.R. 1818
contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as
defined in UMRA and would impose no costs on state, local, or
tribal governments.
Estimate prepared by: Federal costs: Lisa Ramirez-Branum;
Impact on state, local, and tribal governments: Leo Lex; Impact
on the private sector: Amy Petz.
Estimate approved by: Holly Harvey, Deputy Assistant
Director for Budget Analysis.
Federal Mandates Statement
The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal
mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform
Act.
Duplication of Federal Programs
No provision of H.R. 1818 establishes or reauthorizes a
program of the Federal Government known to be duplicative of
another Federal program, a program that was included in any
report from the Government Accountability Office to Congress
pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-139, or a program
related to a program identified in the most recent Catalog of
Federal Domestic Assistance.
Disclosure of Directed Rule Makings
The Committee estimates that enacting H.R. 1818
specifically directs to be completed 0 rule makings within the
meaning of 5 U.S.C. 551.
Advisory Committee Statement
No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b)
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act were created by this
legislation.
Applicability to Legislative Branch
The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public
services or accommodations within the meaning of section
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act.
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation
Section 1. Short title
Section 1 states that the legislation may be cited as the
``Veteran Emergency Medical Technician Support Act of 2016.''
Section 2. Assisting veterans with military emergency medical training
to meet requirements for becoming civilian emergency medical
technicians
Section 2 amends the PHSA by adding a new Section 315. The
new section would allow the Secretary of Health and Human
Services (HHS) to establish a program for awarding
demonstration grants to states to streamline state requirements
and procedures and assist veterans who have completed military
emergency medical training in meeting state certification and
licensing requirements. In addition, the HHS Secretary would be
required to submit an annual report on the demonstration
projects to Congress.
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (new matter is
printed in italic and existing law in which no change is
proposed is shown in roman):
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT
* * * * * * *
TITLE III--GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES OF PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
* * * * * * *
Part B--Federal-State Cooperation
* * * * * * *
SEC. 315. ASSISTING VETERANS WITH MILITARY EMERGENCY MEDICAL TRAINING
TO MEET REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING CIVILIAN
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS.
(a) Program.--The Secretary shall establish a program
consisting of awarding demonstration grants to States to
streamline State requirements and procedures in order to assist
veterans who completed military emergency medical technician
training while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States
to meet certification, licensure, and other requirements
applicable to becoming an emergency medical technician in the
State.
(b) Use of Funds.--Amounts received as a demonstration grant
under this section shall be used to prepare and implement a
plan to streamline State requirements and procedures as
described in subsection (a), including by--
(1) determining the extent to which the requirements
for the education, training, and skill level of
emergency medical technicians in the State are
equivalent to requirements for the education, training,
and skill level of military emergency medical
technicians; and
(2) identifying methods, such as waivers, for
military emergency medical technicians to forgo or meet
any such equivalent State requirements.
(c) Eligibility.--To be eligible for a grant under this
section, a State shall demonstrate that the State has a
shortage of emergency medical technicians.
(d) Report.--The Secretary shall submit to the Congress an
annual report on the program under this section.
(e) Funding.--No additional funds are authorized to be
appropriated for the purpose of carrying out this section. This
section shall be carried out using amounts otherwise available
for such purpose.
* * * * * * *
[all]