MARS HILL, Maine (AP) Rural communities in northern Maine will be assured of access to emergency medical services if the Maine Legislature approves of a proposal that is headed to a committee.

Maine Democrats say in a statement that the proposal would allow town-run ambulance services in the towns of Blaine, Bridgewater and Mars Hill, which are all located in Aroostook County.

Democratic Sen. Mike Carpenter of Houlton, who sponsored the law change, says the towns recently learned they would no longer receive ambulance services through a private company.