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Committee unanimously backs higher reimbursement rates for ground ambulance services
Summary
House Bill 18‑36, sponsored by Chairman Hale, would raise ground ambulance reimbursement from 67.5% of the Medicare rate to 110%. The Insurance Committee approved the bill unanimously (17–0) and sent it to Finance, Ways and Means.
The House Insurance Committee voted unanimously March 5 to advance House Bill 18‑36, which increases the rates paid to ground-based ambulance services for emergency and non-emergency runs. Sponsor testimony said the change would raise reimbursement from 67.5% of the Medicare rate to 110% to better support rural providers and local taxpayers.
"House Bill 18 36 increases the rates that we pay our ground based ambulance services for emergency and non emergency runs... it would go from 67.5 percent of the Medicare rate hundred and 10 percent," the sponsor told the committee. Members praised the bill’s focus on rural counties and the essential services provided by EMS, and the clerk recorded 17 ayes and no nays. The bill was referred to the Finance, Ways and Means Committee for further consideration.
Committee discussion centered on funding and recognition of EMS work; no amendments were recorded during the committee session. The transcript records appreciation from multiple members for sponsoring the bill and the committee’s unanimous support.
