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Rural Maine Hospitals Hope To Fix Worker Shortage With EMTs

A legislative committee in Maine has approved a proposal designed to help rural hospitals in the state hire more emergency medical technicians.

Supporters say the bill clarifies state law to allow the EMTs to practice within the scope of their training under the employment of a hospital. The Legislature's Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee unanimously approved the proposal on Tuesday. The proposal was made on behalf of Cary Medical Center in Caribou in northern Maine. The bill's sponsor, Democratic Senate President Troy Jackson, says the change will help fill gaps in the state's health care worker shortage.