Gov. Gianforte, CMS, DPHHS Announce $8.7 Million Investment in Rural Emergency Medical Services

Governor's Office

HELENA, Mont. - Governor Greg Gianforte and Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Director Charlie Brereton today announced an $8.7 million investment to help strengthen emergency medical services (EMS) across rural Montana. The funds will support 78 EMS agencies serving rural and frontier areas to purchase needed equipment and four new ambulances.

"Working with President Trump and CMS Administrator Oz, Montana is modernizing its rural health system," Gov. Gianforte said. "Through this $8.7 million investment in emergency medical services, CMS is ensuring that all Montanans, regardless of where they live, can receive a swift response in the event of a medical emergency. As we deploy Rural Health Transformation Fund dollars, we will continue to prioritize the needs of Montanans in our rural and underserved communities."

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz praised Montana's commitment to strengthening rural health care, adding, "CMS is proud to work with states like Montana to deliver innovative, locally driven solutions as part of President Trump's Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). These awards demonstrate how this historic investment is empowering rural communities to strengthen their health systems, put patients first, and bring better care closer to home."

Four agencies were awarded ambulances at a cost of approximately $340,000 each, including: Absarokee Rural Fire District, located in Stillwater County; Avon Volunteer Fire and EMS, in southern Powell County; Blackfeet Tribal Emergency Medical Services; and Prairie County Ambulance Service. Three of these agencies currently operate ambulances over 20 years old that need replacement, and the fourth operates with leased ambulances, some of which are not fully functional.

"Every day, EMS professionals and volunteers respond when their neighbors need them most," said Dir. Brereton. "This funding will help EMS agencies replace critical equipment, improve patient care, and better support the responders who serve their communities - creating a lasting impact across rural Montana."

In addition to ambulance grants, 75 agencies, including three tribal governments, have been awarded funding for 238 pieces of equipment, providing modern upgrades to aging, faulty, or non-existent equipment. Equipment provided in this round of grants included IV pump systems, ventilators, cardiac monitors, power load systems and cots, and stair chairs. Awards range from $3,200 to $308,637 based on need and equipment type.

The highest-need items requested through the grant applications were specialized equipment such as IV pump systems and ventilators to transport critical patients from rural centers to larger medical facilities that provide more advanced care. The power cot systems and stair chairs, which help with patient loading, unloading, and lifting, are particularly important in areas with an aging EMS workforce - many of whom are volunteers.

This is the first round of funding for EMS modernization through Montana's RHTP. Additional grants will be available annually through 2030.

The grants were available to EMS agencies located in or serving rural, tribal, and frontier areas of Montana to upgrade ambulances and equipment. Eligibility was based on need, such as the age, model, or operational status of current equipment, the level and type of service provided by the requesting agency, gaps in patient care, and the rurality of calls.

The Rural Health Transformation Program is supported by the CMS of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $233,509,358.76 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

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