NC H472

Appropriates $210,000 to the Department of Health and Human Services for fiscal year 2015-2016 to establish a community paramedicine pilot project designed to reduce emergency room visits and unnecessary hospital admissions.

North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services shall establish education standards and requirements for community paramedics, with up to three program sites eligible to receive $70,000 each.

Department shall prioritize counties that already have established community paramedic programs when awarding funds.

Department must submit progress report by June 1, 2016 to legislative committees using the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration's Community Paramedicine Evaluation Tool.

Department must submit final report by November 1, 2016 including updated evaluation plan, cost estimates for statewide expansion, potential state fund savings, and implementation timeline if expansion is recommended.