(Des Moines, IA) — A bill signed into law by Governor Reynolds allows Iowa counties to recognize emergency medical services as “essential” and pay for those services through property taxes. Anamosa Ambulance Service director Sheila Fink says many departments are desperate for funding and still surviving because they’re having pancake breakfasts and raffles. Fink said, “I mean they spend as much time fundraising as they do taking care of patients and that’s sad.” Unlike fire and police services, local governments in Iowa are not required to provide E-M-S. Under the new law, county supervisors can declare the work essential and seek approval from voters for a new property tax to support those services. Advocates say the shift is sorely needed, especially in rural Iowa communities, where residents often rely on a dwindling number of volunteer E-M-Ts.
