These two problems were actually addressed in the proposed scope of practice (allowing EMTs to place IVs and combitubes). I think another 40-50 hours would be sufficient to teach those skills without increasing class times too much.
And this is precisely why it will not pass nationwide. I can teach these skills in about 2 hours, but one cannot truly apply or correlate the didactic knowledge behind WHY these interventions are performed without substantial additional education. If we just allow basics to perform these skills without providing adequate education to support these interventions, we are then being counterproductive. It is difficult to carry yourself as a healthcare professional when you are performing in a counterproductive environment.
Take a moment to search the forum, there are many threads covering this very topic..............Here a recent one for reference.................
http://www.emtlife.com/showthread.php?t=5674