Paramedics affiliated with the Unión General de Trabajadores (UGT) expressed concern over House Bill 999, authored by House Vice President Yashira Lebrón, which would reduce study requirements for the profession from an associate degree to a one-year certificate. UGT President Edwin Méndez said the union supported most provisions of the bill—such as having the Junta Examinadora evaluate exams and requiring transport licenses—but opposed lowering the education requirement.
He noted the bill intends to let high schools offer emergency medical technician courses so students graduate ready to work. Méndez argued the correct approach is to increase, not reduce, academic preparation, calling it frustrating that lawmakers would push to shorten paramedic training. Paramedic Carlos Vázquez added that reduced training would eventually affect Puerto Ricans’ safety, noting paramedics perform sensitive tasks like endotracheal intubation, transcutaneous pacemaker placement, chest decompression, and medication administration, and that experience over the past 20 years has shown even a one-year program is insufficient.
Vázquez explained that under the bill, high school students could become licensed and enter the field immediately upon graduation.