U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) have introduced the Protecting Air Ambulance Services for Americans Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at improving access to emergency air medical services in rural communities. The legislation proposes using data from the No Surprises Act to update Medicare reimbursement rates for these critical services.
Senator Blackburn stated, “During a medical emergency, Tennesseans living in rural communities shouldn’t have to worry about access to emergency medical transportation, including air ambulance. 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.”
Senator Bennet added, “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. 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.”
The House version of the bill was introduced by Representatives Ron Estes (R-Kan.) and Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.).
Air ambulances are considered vital in emergencies as patients transported by air ambulance have higher survival rates compared with those transported by ground ambulance, according to a 2019 study. Nearly 40% of air medical transports serve Medicare beneficiaries. However, rising operational costs combined with stagnant Medicare reimbursements threaten service availability—especially in rural areas. A Government Accountability Office report from 2017 highlighted that current Medicare reimbursement rates do not cover the cost of providing these services.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services established the current air ambulance fee schedule using data from 1998; it has not been updated since its creation in 2002. Since then, more than 47 air ambulance bases have closed nationwide.
If enacted, the Protecting Air Ambulance Services for Americans Act would allow CMS to update its fee schedule based on new data collected through the No Surprises Act passed in 2020. It would also require additional reporting from providers on operational costs and mandate a GAO report examining expenses associated with serving Medicare beneficiaries via air ambulance. Additionally, it sets a deadline for finalizing data collection requirements under the No Surprises Act.
Jana Williams, President & CEO of the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS), said: “We applaud the introduction of the Protecting Air Ambulance Services for Americans Act. 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.”
Rob Hamilton, CEO of Air Methods, commented: “The Protecting Air Ambulances for Americans Act underscores the vital role that air medical transportation plays in preserving the health and safety of millions nationwide. We remain committed to advocating for lasting solutions that ensure no one is left without access to emergency care during a medical crisis. We’re grateful for the leadership of Senators Marsha Blackburn and Michael Bennet, as well as Representatives Ron Estes and Suzan DelBene, whose unwavering support brings us one step closer to safeguarding emergency air medical services, especially for rural communities and seniors who need them most.”
More information about similar challenges facing rural health systems can be found through government accountability reports such as https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-17-637.
