U.S. Rep. Ron Estes (R-KS) and U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) recently introduced legislation designed to improve access to emergency air medical services, critical care that is particularly important in rural communities.
The bipartisan Protecting Air Ambulance Services for Americans Act, H.R. 3691/S. 1803, would update Medicare reimbursement rates for emergency air services by using data collected under the federal No Surprises Act, a 2020 law that protects consumers from surprise medical bills.
A 2017 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report found that Medicare reimbursement rates for air ambulance services are currently far below the costs of providing care, especially in rural areas, according to the congressman’s office.
Rep. Estes said the bill was a commonsense way to ensure patients have access to hospitals and specialized providers regardless of their location.
“When seconds matter, air ambulances have proven to be the best way to care for patients in need, and under this new legislation, the work of the pilots and medical professionals on board will continue to save lives,” Rep. Estes said.
Rep. Estes introduced H.R. 3691 on May 25 with original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA), while Sen. Blackburn introduced S. 1803 on June 1 with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO).
“It is critical that Tennesseans living in rural areas have access to emergency medical transportation, including air ambulance,” Sen. Blackburn said. “Reimbursement for these emergency medical services should be updated to accurately reflect the costs of providing this life-saving care.”
Jeff Richey, University of Washington Medicine’s executive director of Airlift Northwest, said, “The legislation will preserve emergency air medical services in rural communities for years to come.”