Congress·In Committee·S. 2518

Sens. Bennet and Blackburn Introduce Bill to Update Medicare Air Ambulance Payments

Protecting Air Ambulance Services for Americans Act of 2025

8 months ago·View on Congress.gov

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Stalled

No legislative action in over 90 days.

Legislative Progress

Senate

House

President

Law

Key Points

This bill changes how Medicare pays for emergency air ambulance services. It allows the government to adjust payment rates based on new data about what it actually costs to fly patients to the hospital in helicopters or planes.
Companies that provide these flights would be required to share their financial data with the government every three years. They must report their operating costs, how much money they make, and how often their services are used by Medicare patients.
The plan aims to ensure that air ambulance companies are paid fairly so they can stay in business, particularly in rural areas where ground ambulances might take too long. It also requires the government to finish rules for collecting this data within six months.
A non-partisan watchdog will study the average cost of these flights and how those costs change depending on where you live. This report will help Congress decide if Medicare is paying enough to keep these life-saving services available for everyone.

Healthcare

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions

Jul 29, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Jul 29, 2025

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Within 6 months of enactment

HHS must finalize the air ambulance data collection rule

Air ambulance companies would be required to start reporting their costs and revenue, giving the government the information it needs to decide if Medicare payments should change.

Related News

3 articles

Axios·over 1 year ago

Air ambulances need Medicare fix before it's too late

The article discusses the 'Protecting Air Ambulance Services for Americans Act,' noting that despite its introduction to address outdated Medicare reimbursement rates, the bill has seen little progress. It highlights the financial strain on providers who receive only 59% of costs from Medicare.

Washington Times·3 months ago

For emergency rural health care, look to the sky

In this op-ed, Rep. Ron Estes advocates for the Protecting Air Ambulance Services for Americans Act, explaining that Medicare rates haven't been updated since 2002. He argues the bill is essential to prevent further base closures in rural areas by using No Surprises Act data to adjust payments.

CL+

Public Opinion·7 months ago

Rep. Joyce tours WellSpan WellFlight, highlights lifesaving air medical services

Local coverage of Rep. John Joyce's visit to an air ambulance base where he discussed the 'Protecting Air Ambulance Services for Americans Act.' The article notes the bill would update Medicare rates based on actual cost data to ensure the sustainability of services in rural communities.

Related Bills

1 bill

H.R. 4792Identical bill

Protecting Air Ambulance Services for Americans Act of 2025

Jul 29 — Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.