Greg Walden backs effort to maintain life-saving emergency medical services for patients

MEDFORD – Speaking at the Medford Rotary today, U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) announced his support for a proposal in the U.S. House that would help maintain critical emergency medical services in Oregon and nationwide. The Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act (H.R. 4365) is a bipartisan bill that would make clear that emergency medical responders are allowed to administer controlled substances like anti-seizure medication and pain narcotics under the supervision of a doctor.

“Especially in rural areas, emergency medical providers do excellent work caring for patients. Unnecessary government red tape shouldn’t get in their way. This bill will help make sure that first responders can continue administering life-saving medicines to patients in emergency situations when they need them most,” Walden said.

Walden has heard from physicians and first responders in Jackson, Deschutes, Klamath, Wasco, Hood River, and Sherman counties about the importance of this bill. The Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act specifically clarifies that the current practice of physician medical directors overseeing care provided by first responders via “standing orders” is allowed and protected under the law.

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has said that the current practice of “standing orders” may not be allowed under existing law, which has threatened the very existence of this life-saving practice. According to Dr. Paul Rostykus, an emergency physician in Jackson County, “In emergency situations, when seconds or minutes count, ‘standing orders’ are essential for EMS providers to be able to immediately administer DEA controlled substances to save lives and reduce suffering, such as for patients with seizures, breathing difficulties or severe pain from a broken femur.”