Press Releases

U.S. Representatives Ron Estes (R-Kansas), Suzan Delbene (D-Wash.), along with Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colorado) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), reintroduced the Protecting Air Ambulance Services for Americans Act. This critical legislation will update Medicare reimbursement rates for emergency air services by using data collected under the No Surprises Act, which was passed in 2020.

“Air ambulances provide lifesaving services, especially for the many Kansans living in rural parts of our state," said Rep. Estes. "The bipartisan bill I'm reintroducing with Rep. DelBene, along with my colleagues Senators Bennet and Blackburn, is a common sense way to ensure all Americans have emergency 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 legislation, the work of the pilots and medical professionals on board will continue to save lives."

“Coloradans should be able to trust that if they are sick or injured, they can get the medical attention they need, no matter where they live,” said Sen. Bennet. “As air ambulance bases across rural America have been forced to close, people in rural communities have lost access to lifesaving care. This bipartisan bill builds on our efforts to bring transparency to our health care system and improves access to lifesaving care for all Americans.”
 
“During a medical emergency, Tennesseans living in rural communities shouldn’t have to worry about access to emergency medical transportation, including air ambulance,” said Sen. Blackburn. “Our bipartisan Protecting Air Ambulance Services for Americans Act would preserve critical access to life-saving air ambulance services for Tennesseans and all Americans, no matter where they live.”

"Every second counts during a medical emergency, and for many in Washington, especially in rural and underserved areas, air ambulance services are a lifeline,” said Rep. DelBene. “Medicare’s outdated reimbursement rates no longer reflect the true cost of providing this critical care, putting access at risk. This legislation will ensure that reimbursement is based on current data, so patients can continue to count on timely, lifesaving emergency transport when it matters most."

The legislation has received outside support:

“We applaud the introduction of the Protecting Air Ambulance Services for Americans Act,” said Jana Williams, President & CEO of the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS). “This bipartisan, bicameral legislation reflects a growing recognition that air medical providers are not just responders—they are lifelines, especially in rural and underserved communities. Air medical programs are increasingly essential mobile extensions of our national emergency care infrastructure. This bill takes a pragmatic step forward to ensure these high-acuity services remain available when and where they’re needed most. We look forward to working with Congress and other stakeholders to advance this critical legislation and protect access to life-saving care across the country.”

“Being part of the emergency medical system gives me an up-close look at the challenges facing rural Americans when it comes to accessing critical trauma care,” said Brittany Cox, Area Manager of the LifeSave Air Transport Program. “The introduction of this legislation is an important step to ensure that all Kansans have access to emergency air medical transport, no matter where they live. For people in rural parts of our state, timely access to emergency care can mean the difference between life and death. We’re grateful to Representatives Estes and DelBene for their leadership and commitment to addressing this critical need.”

Background:

June 2023: Reps. Estes, DelBene, Sens. Bennet, Blackburn Introduce Bill to Support Lifesaving Emergency Services for Americans in Rural Communities