For Immediate Release
September 13, 2023
Contact: media@soarcampaign.com
(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-MT), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Patty Murray (D-WA), and John Boozman (R-AR) announced introduction of the VA Emergency Transportation Access Act. If passed, this bipartisan legislation would ensure the millions of Veterans living in rural areas continue to have access to lifesaving air medical transport.
“This legislation is an important step forward in protecting access to critical health care resources for Veterans,” said SOAR spokesperson PJ Amartey. “SOAR thanks Senators Tester, Moran, Murray, and Boozman for introducing this legislation and continuing to fight to ensure access to lifesaving air medical services for our nation’s Veterans.”
Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that beginning in February 2024, the VA would implement significant cuts to its reimbursement rate for emergency air medical services by aligning its reimbursement rate with Medicare, which currently covers less than 50 percent of the costs associated with providing air transport. These cuts will force air medical bases to shut down, limiting access to lifesaving transport for the 4.7 million Veterans living in rural communities.
The VA Emergency Transportation Access Act offers a solution to this problem with the goal of protecting access to lifesaving emergency services for Veterans. If passed, the legislation would require the VA to conduct a rigorous review process before proceeding with any cuts, including:
Consideration of the economic and access to care impacts of potential rate cuts.
Consultation with medical experts, CMS, Veterans Service Organizations, and other key stakeholders.
Confirmation that rates reflect the true costs of providing air medical transport.
“The VA Emergency Transportation Access Act is a commonsense solution that would ensure Veterans have access to air ambulance transport – whether planned or in an emergency,” the SOAR Campaign said in a letter. “For Veterans who live long distances from medical care, this bill provides a lifeline during the most critical moments.”
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About Save Our Air Medical Resources (SOAR)
Save Our Air Medical Resources (SOAR) is a national campaign dedicated to preserving access to emergency air medical services for Americans across the country. Official partners of the SOAR Campaign include industry experts, in-flight paramedics and nurses, and patients who rely on emergency services. To learn more about SOAR visit https://www.soarcampaign.com/