U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL) last week sponsored legislation to ensure that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) completes several due diligence requirements before pursuing a change that could reduce reimbursement rates for U.S. military veterans who use emergency transportation.
“I’m leading common-sense legislation to require VA to work with ground and air ambulatory providers to develop a plan that protects and expands rural veterans’ access to emergency services first,” Rep. Bost said. “The care and services these companies offer to the men and women who have served, and their families, is critical and we’re going to protect it.”
Specifically, the VA Emergency Transportation Access Act, H.R. 5530, would set certain limitations on the authority of the VA Secretary to make changes to the VA rate of payment or reimbursement provided for transportation of veterans and other eligible individuals on special modes of transportation, according to the text of the bill.
H.R. 5530 now has a bipartisan group of eight cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Nancy Mace (R-SC), Don Bacon (R-NE), Sam Graves (R-MO), and Chris Pappas (D-NH).
The bill is in response to the VA’s proposed final rule: “Changes in Rates VA Pays for Special Modes of Transportation,” which would establish a new payment methodology for emergency transportation, such as ground and air ambulances.
The proposal is below the reimbursement rates of emergency transportation, Rep. Bost says, and without proper plans and safeguards in place, it also could have a negative impact for various special modes of transportation providers, especially those in rural communities.
“I know firsthand that quick access to emergency transportation services can be the difference between life and death in rural and remote areas of the United States,” said Rep. Bost, chairman of the U.S. House Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “But the Biden administration’s latest proposed rule to slash reimbursements for good companies who provide vitally important ground and air emergency transportation services to veterans in flyover country could dangerously reduce the availability of those services.”
H.R. 5530, which is under consideration in the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, is supported by myriad groups and companies, including the VFW, The American Legion, Jewish War Veterans, Global Medical Response, Airbus Helicopters Inc., Superior Ambulance, and the Association of Air Medical Services, among others.