AMERICAN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION

TAX · Taxation/Internal Revenue Code

Lobbied for relief from the federal fuel excise tax for private ground ambulance service organizations.

MMM · Medicare/Medicaid

Lobbied on the Protecting Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act (H.R. 2232, S.1643) to raise the percentages of temporary increases in Medicare payments for ground ambulance services. Educated congressional offices and committees on changes in geographical designation of zip codes under the Medicare ambulance fee schedule following the 2020 Census and the need for a zip code designation appeals process. Provided context on the Ground Ambulance Chapter of the MedPAC Report of July 15 to highlight need for increased reimbursement for ground ambulance services and reform of the ambulance fee schedule. Lobbied on the Comprehensive Alternative Response for Emergencies Act of 2025 (H.R. 2538, S. 3145) to create a CMMI demonstration project on the reimbursement of ambulance response without transport, and the Emergency Medical Services Reimbursement for On-Scene Care and Support Act (H.R. 7277, S. 3730). Lobbied on the Community Paramedicine Act (H.R. 4011) to provide local governments and partners with funding to furnish mobile integrated healthcare. Engaged with congressional offices on the Preserving Emergency Access in Key Sites Act (PEAKS Act) (H.R. 3378, S.1960). Engaged in support of the draft RESCUE Blood Act to provide additional Medicare reimbursement for prehospital blood. Lobbied in support of reducing the amount of the copay for critical ambulance services for patients in Medicare Advantage plans.

Literal federal measure citations: H.R. 2232, S.1643, H.R. 2538, S. 3145, H.R. 7277, S. 3730, H.R. 4011, H.R. 3378, S.1960

HCR · Health Issues

Educated congressional offices and committees on the local oversight and rate controls of ground ambulance service organizations and the requirements placed on such organizations as 9-1-1 emergency medical services as well first responders. Also educated on the challenges that ground ambulance service organizations, which are predominately small entities providing medical services to individual communities, face in receiving adequate reimbursement from payors. Lobbied in support of the final report of the Ground Ambulance and Patient Billing Advisory Committee.

LBR · Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace

Lobbied to raise the profile of the severe shortage of paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in the U.S. and address the problem through emergency medical service training programs, and retaining current paramedics and EMTs through access to first responder benefits. Lobbied on the PARA-EMT Act (H.R. 2220), Apprenticeship Pathways Act of 2025 (S. 235), Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder Act (S. 978, H.R. 2094), Pathways to Health Careers Act (H.R. 5370), MEDIC Careers Act (S. 2673, H.R. 9140) and draft Supporting our First Responders Act. Lobbied on the National Defense Reauthorization Act of 2027 (H.R. 8800) to include language to facilitate the transition of medics leaving the armed forces to transition to the civilian healthcare workforce. Lobbied on legislation to provide behavior health resources for the particular mental health issues facing first responders including paramedics, EMTs and 9-1-1 dispatchers. Specific bills include the Lifeline for First Responders Act (H.R. 10116, S. 4819), ,Emergency Responders Mental Health Training (EMT) Act (H.R. 10349) and Responder Behavioral Health Access Act (H.R. 10712).

Literal federal measure citations: H.R. 2220, S. 235, S. 978, H.R. 2094, H.R. 5370, S. 2673, H.R. 9140, H.R. 8800, H.R. 10116, S. 4819, H.R. 10349, H.R. 10712

BUD · Budget/Appropriations

Lobbied on the Senate and House FY2027 Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies (H.R. 9260) and Transportation HUD (H.R. 9170) Appropriations Bills for funding for the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, NHTSA EMS Office and Department of Labor for paramedic and EMT training grants to help address the emergency medical service workforce shortage to ensure sufficient EMS capabilities to address responses to national health emergencies and terrorism incidents. Lobbied on funding for the SIREN Act and EMS for Children programs and language in support of future data collection by CMS on ground ambulance services.

Literal federal measure citations: H.R. 9260, H.R. 9170

DIS · Disaster Planning/Emergencies

Lobbied in support of resources for ground ambulance service organizations in order to be prepared to respond to future public health emergencies, natural disasters and acts of terrorism.