BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – What can the federal government do to make emergency medical services sustainable?

Across Vermont, EMS providers and other agencies are stretched thin with staff shortages, low wages, burnout, and low reimbursement rates. Many of those agencies are also on the front lines of responding to the opioid crisis.

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders Monday hosted a roundtable discussion with EMS officials at his office and acknowledged changes need to happen on the state and federal levels.

“It’s clear we don’t have a system. Nobody in the world would deny the work you are doing is enormously important. And sometimes you’re going out and doing something and not taking a nickel for doing it. You’re paying people 16 bucks an hour to do important work. We’re not training the young people that we need,” Sanders said.

Sanders says he’s working on federal legislation to bring down the cost of EMT licenses, which can run upwards of $1,700.

Vermont’s congressional delegation is also backing a bill that would ensure first responders get paid when responding to a call, even if they do not transport someone to the hospital. Senator Welch earlier this month said he was confident The Emergency Medical Services Reimbursement for On-Scene Care and Support, or EMS-ROCS Act will have bipartisan support.

Rep. Becca Balint has introduced companion legislation in the House.