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Ambulance industry urges continuation of Quality Assurance Fee to sustain Medicaid reimbursements
Summary
Witnesses and staff described House Bill 2,531 as a mechanism to preserve the Quality Assurance Fee that funds enhanced Medicaid reimbursement for ambulance transports; the Washington Ambulance Association urged support, saying the program improved wages and benefits since 2020.
Committee staff explained House Bill 2,531, which addresses the Quality Assurance Fee for ground ambulance transports and directs the Health Care Authority to set the fee rate annually at the 07/04/2025 level and calculate add‑on payments to reflect available fee amounts. Staff noted federal restrictions (HR1) that limit new provider taxes and described the mechanics by which QAF revenues are used to draw federal match and increase Medicaid payments.
Mike Battis, president of the Washington Ambulance Association, urged support and described the program’s effects since 2020: increased federal drawdown allowed higher wages and improved benefits for private EMS workers, estimating about a 30% industrywide improvement in wages and benefits since the QAF’s passage.
Staff presented a fiscal note showing no net state fiscal impact. The committee completed public testimony and did not take final action at the hearing.
