WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) cosponsored the Protecting Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act, Emergency Medical Services Reimbursement for On-Scene Care & Support (EMS ROCS) Act, and VA Emergency Transportation Access Act to protect access to emergency medical services (EMS) in communities across Minnesota.

“Improving emergency medical services is critical for access to health care and protecting public safety,” said Klobuchar. “These bills would support access to emergency ambulance services in all communities, regardless of their zip code, and allow EMS providers to receive adequate reimbursement for the services they provide.”

The bipartisan Protecting Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act would ensure that all communities, especially those in rural and underserved areas, have access to quality emergency ground ambulance services by extending and increasing the temporary Medicare ambulance add-on payment rates for an additional three years.

The Emergency Medical Services Reimbursement for On-Scene Care & Support (EMS ROCS) Act would allow ground ambulance services to be reimbursed by Medicare for providing care to patients regardless of whether they were transported to a hospital.

The bipartisan VA Emergency Transportation Access Act would prohibit the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from reducing rates of pay and reimbursement for ground and air ambulance services unless the VA can ensure rate reductions would not reduce veterans’ access to this emergency service.

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