Nearly $4.4 Million for Rural Health and Emergency Medical Services Advanced by Senator Collins in Funding Bill
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she advanced $4,371,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for requests to support rural health and emergency medical services across Maine in the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill. The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee today, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House.
“Mainers in every part of our state should be able to receive the vital medical services they need, which is why I have long advocated for funding to support access to quality rural health care,” said Senator Collins. “By helping to upgrade medical equipment and ambulances, this funding would substantially improve the delivery of health care and enhance the wellbeing of rural communities throughout Maine. As the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”
Funding advanced by Senator Collins for Maine rural health and emergency medical services in the FY24 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill is as follows:
Ashland Ambulance Service
Recipient: Ashland Ambulance Service
Project Location: Ashland, ME
Amount Requested: $431,000
Project Purpose: To purchase an ambulance and first responder equipment.
LifeFlight of Maine Critical Care Ground Fleet
Recipient: LifeFlight of Maine
Project Location: Bangor, ME
Amount Requested: $1,920,000
Project Purpose: To support purchase of ground-based critical care vehicles.
Milbridge Regional Ambulance Service
Recipient: Town of Milbridge
Project Location: Milbridge, Cherryfield, Steuben, ME
Amount Requested: $370,000
Project Purpose: For facilities and equipment to establish a regional ambulance service for three rural Maine communities.
Brooks Ambulance Station and Training Facility
Recipient: Brooks Ambulance, Inc.
Project Location: Brooks, Jackson, Monroe, and Knox, ME
Amount Requested: $1,650,000
Project Purpose: For facilities and equipment to support EMS services.
This funding advanced through the Committee’s markup of the FY24 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill—an important step that now allows the bill to be considered by the full Senate. Committee consideration of legislation is a key part of regular order, which helps our government function efficiently and deliver results for the people of Maine and America.
In 2021, Congress reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending. Following this decision, Senator Collins has secured more than $500 million for hundreds of Maine projects for FY2022 and FY2023. As the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins is committed to championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.
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