AFSCME’s Saunders: This EMS Week, we’re standing up for the care we depend on and the first responders who deliver it

“Every day, we are grateful for the selfless heroes who choose careers in EMS, including many AFSCME members. No matter the situation, these highly trained professionals never quit when it comes to saving lives — even if it means putting themselves in harm’s way. We must remember to never take their service or sacrifice for granted.

 

“While we celebrate these essential workers, anti-union extremists in Congress are racing to gut Medicaid — which would devastate emergency services. Less funding for this lifesaving program would make it more difficult for EMS workers to help us when we’re in crisis. Medicaid cuts would shutter hospitals and clinics, force ambulances to travel farther, delay care and overwhelm an already stretched EMS workforce with fewer staff, less equipment and longer response times. That’s why we’re getting organized to defend public services and our jobs.

 

“This EMS Week, we’re standing up for the care we depend on and the first responders who deliver it. We won’t allow Congress to put billionaires ahead of our communities.”