Last week, the House overwhelmingly passed bipartisan legislation authored byCongressman Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-CA) to help states streamline their certification requirements for those veterans with military emergency medical technician (EMT) training that are looking to continue their career as an EMT in the civilian workforce: the Veteran Emergency Medical Technician Support Act of 2013, H.R. 235.

Many states currently do not recognize the training received by members of the military as applicable to the licensing requirements of the civilian health care system for EMTs or paramedics. Meanwhile, it's becoming increasingly difficult for Illinois communities, particularly in rural areas, to find citizens willing to go through the necessary certification to become an EMT. Because of our veterans' training as combat medics and experience dealing with massive trauma injuries and complex medical conditions they can be a major asset to communities throughout Illinois or across the nation in which they work, making streamlining this process all the more important.

The Veteran Emergency Medical Technician Support Act restructures the state requirements and makes the process more efficient, enabling veterans with military EMT training to become certified civilian EMTs much sooner.

H.R. 235 now awaits approval in the Senate.