Legislation would modernize outdated Medicare rates and protect critical emergency air services for rural Americans
(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) and U.S. House Representatives Suzan DelBene (D-WA-1) and Ron Estes (R-KS-4) introduced the Protecting Air Ambulance Services for Americans Act (H.R. 4792/ S.2518), bipartisan legislation to preserve access to emergency air medical services for rural communities and America’s seniors.
The bill gives the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) the authority to modernize Medicare’s outdated air ambulance reimbursement rate, using real cost data that reflects inflation and rising medical and aviation expenses.
“Air ambulances save lives, and rural America depends on them when every second counts,” said SOAR spokesperson PJ Amartey. “This legislation will preserve a crucial lifeline for millions of rural Americans. We thank Senators Blackburn and Bennet for taking action to safeguard health care access for seniors, Veterans, and families all across our country.”
For millions of Americans in rural communities, access to a higher-level tertiary hospital is often limited or entirely out of reach. Air ambulances operate as flying ICUs, providing life-saving care when no other option exists. As rural hospitals continue to close or reduce services, air medical providers have become the last line of defense – especially for seniors, Veterans, and patients in underserved regions.
Currently, Medicare reimburses just 59% of the average cost of air ambulance transports – a rate unchanged for more than two decades. Without Congressional action, access to lifesaving air ambulance services and critical health care will continue to erode – putting millions of Americans at greater risk.
“Air ambulances can mean the difference between life and death,” continued Amartey. “This bill is a vital step toward ensuring that every patient – regardless of zip code – can receive emergency care when they need it most.”
The full bill text is available HERE.
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About Save Our Air Medical Resources (SOAR)
Save Our Air Medical Resources (SOAR) is a national campaign dedicated to preserving access to emergency air medical services for Americans across the United States. Our partners include flight paramedics, nurses, healthcare experts, and patients who rely on these life-saving emergency services. To learn more about SOAR, visit: www.soarcampaign.com