EMS leaders head to Capitol Hill with one message: It’s time to fund the future

EMS leaders head to Capitol Hill with one message: It’s time to fund the future

From EMS One-Stop by emsonestop

March 5, 2026 · 32 min · Episode 95

About this episode

Rob Lawrence and Chris Way discuss the importance of EMS on the Hill and the need for unified advocacy in healthcare.

EMS on the Hill isn’t just a date on the calendar — it’s the profession’s annual moment to stand in front of Congress and tell the EMS story with clarity, confidence and unity. In this edition of EMS One-Stop, Rob Lawrence is joined by NAEMT President, Chris Way, to preview EMS on the Hill (March 25–26, 2026) and explain why this event matters now more than ever: EMS is where most Americans first enter the healthcare system, and the care delivered in the field is no longer “drive-you-to-the-hospital medicine.” Chris and Rob also unpack what’s changed — the scale of collaboration across national organizations and the discipline of going to Capitol Hill with aligned priorities and a shared message. They walk listeners through the event flow (Education Day, briefings, Hill visits, awards and reception), the importance of working relationships with staffers, and the advocacy “ask” that could reshape the future: reimbursement for treatment in place, mobile integrated healthcare/community paramedicine, and sustainable support for initiatives like prehospital blood. The throughline is simple: show up, speak with one voice, and translate momentum into legislative wins. Additional…

People in this episode

Host: Rob Lawrence

Guest: Chris Way

Topics covered

  • EMS advocacy
  • healthcare policy
  • Congress
  • collaboration
  • reimbursement

Keywords

  • EMS
  • healthcare
  • Congress
  • advocacy
  • reimbursement
  • community paramedicine
  • legislative wins

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: NAEMT

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