U.S. Reps. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) and Buddy Carter (R-GA) on March 17 offered a bipartisan bill that would protect patient access to ground ambulance services under part B of the Medicare program.
“This bill delivers key reforms so that Americans, particularly those in rural and underserved communities, can access ground ambulance transportation, and their providers can rely on consistent reimbursement from Medicare,” Rep. Wenstrup said. “This bill would help keep ambulance costs affordable.”
Rep. Wenstrup sponsored the Protecting Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act of 2023, H.R. 1666, with three original cosponsors, including Rep. Carter and U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL).
“When you’re in an emergency, timely access to an ambulance can mean the difference between life and death,” Rep. Carter said. “With this bill, we will ensure that everyone, including those in remote or rural areas, has access to this life-saving care and that those who provide it receive proper Medicare reimbursement.”
H.R. 1666 has been referred for consideration to both the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee and the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee.
“Due to the current Medicare reimbursement rate, these life-saving services come at a grave cost, especially to our rural communities, which are often too far from a traditional hospital,” said Rep. Sewell. “This bill addresses the critical need for ground ambulances in our most vulnerable communities, and I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bill with bipartisan support.”