Partnership combines trusted emergency infrastructure with clinical guidance and telehealth to improve access, reduce unnecessary utilization and support better outcomes
SIOUX FALLS, SD / ACCESS Newswire / June 8, 2026 / Two nationally recognized leaders in healthcare innovation - Global Medical Response (GMR) and Avel eCare - today announced a strategic partnership to launch 911 REACT (Rural Emergency Access, Care & Telehealth), an integrated 911-to-clinical-care access model for rural America, where distance and workforce constraints can delay medical care.
"For too long, the default has been an ambulance and the emergency department," said GMR Chief Operating Officer and President Ted Van Horne. "This program offers another option, helping rural residents get answers, manage symptoms around the clock and access care at home, easing pressure on overburdened systems and supporting better long-term outcomes."
Turning 911 Into a Coordinated Front Door to Care
For many rural residents, healthcare is increasingly out of reach. With time and distance working against both patients and providers, scarce emergency resources must be preserved for the most serious, time-sensitive conditions. But the current system does not always make that distinction. CDC reporting finds an estimated 40% of emergency department visits involve patients who could be treated effectively in nonurgent care settings - highlighting a significant opportunity to better match patients with the level of care they need.
