SOAR Campaign expresses gratitude to Representative John Carter (R-TX), Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS), Jon Tester (D-MT), John Boozman (R-AR), and others for their leadership
(Washington, D.C.) –The U.S. Senate and House Appropriations Committees have advanced critical legislation that prevents the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from cutting reimbursement rates for emergency air medical services.
This legislative effort, led by Representative John Carter (R-TX) and Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Jon Tester (D-MT) and Jerry Moran (R-KS), seeks to ensure that over 4.4 million Veterans in rural communities across the country retain access to lifesaving emergency care as the VA's proposed cuts are set to go into effect in February 2025.
“SOAR is deeply thankful to Representative Carter, Senators Moran, Tester, and Boozman for recognizing the critical impact these cuts will have on Veterans’ access to care and for taking steps to stop them,” said PJ Amartey, SOAR spokesperson. “With this language now included in both the House and Senate bills, we are one step closer to permanently safeguarding the emergency medical services that Veterans across the country rely on. Air ambulances save lives, and we call on the rest of Congress to join this bipartisan effort.”
The VA's proposed cuts would drastically reduce reimbursement rates for emergency air ambulance services, resulting in providers being reimbursed at less than half the actual cost of transporting patients, potentially leading to widespread closures of air ambulance bases.
While the Senate and House appropriations bills will temporarily stop the VA’s cuts, Congress is considering bipartisan, bicameral legislation the VA Emergency Transportation Access Act to provide a long-term solution.
“Timely air ambulance transportation is often the difference between life and death following a traumatic injury,” Amartey continued. “Passing the VA Emergency Transportation Access Act will require the VA to thoroughly assess the consequences of its proposed cuts, consult with Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) and medical providers, and conduct a rigorous review process to ensure that Veterans do not lose access to critical emergency care.”
For more information on the potential impact of the VA’s planned cuts, click HERE.
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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.
PJ Amartey, Spokesperson, SOAR Campaign
media@soarcampaign.com