First responders could start providing in-home medical care, closing a health care access gap in Colorado’s underserved communities and addressing an antiquated emergency care system, under a proposed measure moving through the state Legislature.

Senate Bill 69, which just passed the state Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support Monday, would establish a Community Paramedic Program, training first responders to provide in-home health care services.

The sponsor of the bill, Sen. Leroy Garcia, D-Pueblo, said the program takes an innovative look at avoiding ambulance rides and emergency room visits — a very expensive means of medical care.

“We have this antiquated system where you call 911, you take an ambulance ride and you go to the ER,” Garcia said, who has served as a paramedic for more than a decade and is also an instructor in the trade. “It is inefficient. If you’re having chest pains, then absolutely, call 911 and go to the ER, but in many other cases, an ER visit isn’t needed.”

Garcia said the program would coordinate paramedics with mental health providers, nurses and doctors in the community, and have first responders proactively visit patients at their homes to provide care before an emergency happens.

He said there are often patients who take frequent ambulance rides for recurring health problems because there is just no one following up with them. That’s where community paramedicine comes in, he said.

Community paramedicine also translates to better health care access for the elderly, veterans and those living in rural communities, where residents often need an ambulance to reach the nearest hospital.

Garcia said abating needless ambulance rides and keeping emergency room beds clear would reduce costs significantly. Other states where similar programs have been adopted, like Minnesota, are saving millions in health care costs, Garcia said.

Health care groups like the Colorado Nurse Association, Colorado Medical Society, Children’s Hospital and the Colorado Professional Firefighters, among other groups, have voiced support for the bill.

The bill is on its way to the House Health, Insurance and Environment Committee before it reaches the House floor for full consideration. The legislation is expected to fare well in the House in these final few remaining days of the session. All of the Democrat members and most of the Republicans in the senate supported the measure. Just three senators — Sens. Chris Holbert, R-Parker, Tim Neville, R-Littleton, and Jerry Sonnenberg, R-Sterling, voted against the bill.