SOAR Campaign Calls on VA to Reverse Course and Congress to Intervene
(Washington DC) – Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced significant cuts to its reimbursement rate for emergency air medical services, putting thousands of Veterans lives at risk.
The VA advanced the rule despite objections from more than 30 Veterans Service Organizations, including the American Legion, and opposition from Senators Tester, Moran, Heinrich, Boozman, Schatz, Hirono, Daines, Bennet, and Hickenlooper, along with Representatives Wasserman Schultz, Bost, Bishop, Valadao, and others.
“This is a dark day for Veterans and rural Americans who rely on air ambulances to transport them during a medical emergency,” said PJ Amartey, spokesperson for the SOAR campaign. “This decision puts Veterans lives at risk and threatens rural communities that are already struggling with a lack of access to quality health care. We call on the VA to reverse its decision immediately and Congress to intervene.”
The VA has stated it will cut its reimbursement rate to align with the Medicare rate starting in February 2024. The timing is problematic because the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will be in the middle of analyzing transport cost data from air medical providers which will provide the necessary data for any Medicare rate update.
“The VA needs to delay this rule until CMS can produce its report,” added Amartey. “Both the VA and CMS need to base their reimbursements on the actual cost of providing these lifesaving services.”
The Medicare reimbursement rate has not been updated in over 20 years and covers less than 50 percent of the cost of a transport. More information about the unfair government reimbursement structure can be found HERE.
Save Our Air Medical Resources (SOAR) is a national campaign dedicated to preserving access to emergency air medical services across the country, especially in rural communities.
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