50-6-201. Legislative findings -- duty of board. (1) The legislature finds and declares that a program for emergency care providers is required in order to provide the safest and most efficient delivery of emergency and community-integrated health care.

(2) The legislature further finds that prompt and efficient emergency medical care of the sick and injured at the scene and during transport to a health care facility is important in reducing the mortality and morbidity rate during the first critical minutes immediately after an accident or the onset of an emergent condition.

(3) The legislature further finds that emergency care providers can help fill gaps in the state's health care system, particularly in rural communities with limited health care services and providers, by providing:

(a) community-integrated health care to prevent illness and injury; and

(b) patient care within a health care facility that is appropriate to a patient's needs and the emergency care provider's training.

(4) The board has a duty to ensure that emergency care providers are properly licensed and provide proper treatment to patients in their care.