Pfluger Introduces RESCUE Act to Modernize Outdated Medicare Ambulance Payments

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) introduced the Reimbursing Emergency Services for Critical Urgent Encounters (RESCUE) Act to amend the outdated Medicare payment structure that is straining ambulance services across rural Texas and the country.

Medicare's ambulance fee schedule has not been updated since 2002, and current rates are still based on cost data collected from 1998, according to information from Pfluger's office. The RESCUE Act would require the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to update the ambulance fee schedule every three years based on current, actual cost data, replacing a system still anchored to decades-old numbers. Meanwhile, the fuel, equipment, staffing, and vehicle costs required to keep an air or ground ambulance ready to respond have only continued to climb, widening the gap between what it costs to respond to a call and what Medicare actually pays.

"EMS providers and first responders show up for our communities every single day, often in the most difficult moments imaginable, and they deserve a Medicare system that shows up for them in return," said Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11). "I'm proud to help lead the bipartisan RESCUE Act to ensure EMS is reimbursed based on the real cost of the care they provide, just like other healthcare providers already are. This is especially critical in rural Texas and rural communities across the country, where a funding shortfall can mean the difference between an EMS agency staying open or shutting its doors. We will keep working to close this gap and make sure rural America never loses access to the emergency care it depends on."

The legislation is co-led by Reps. Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Beth Van Duyne (TX-24), Kim Schrier (WA-08), John Joyce (PA-13), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), and Terri Sewell (AL-07).

Read full text of the legislation here.

"As Co-Chair of the Congressional Air Medical Caucus, I know that every second counts when it comes to getting patients to lifesaving care," said Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02). "For people living in rural America, medical care isn't always around the corner—it often requires long drives or emergency flights, especially to reach specialized treatment. We cannot allow outdated Medicare payment rates to jeopardize the air and ground ambulance services our rural and remote communities rely on. The RESCUE Act is essential to protecting access to emergency care when it matters most."

“Every second matters when an ambulance is racing to save a life — first responders are already stretched thin, and rates that haven't kept pace with real costs shouldn't be one more thing standing in their way,” said Rep. Van Duyne (TX-24). “I’m glad to help introduce the RESCUE Act to fix this deficiency and make sure the fee schedule keeps up with real costs." 

"We all know the value our emergency responders provide," said Rep John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13). "Whether they're first on scene at a fire, a medical emergency, or an accident on the road, these men and women are integral servants in our community. Yet too often, ambulance services aren't reimbursed for the true cost of the lifesaving care they provide, especially in rural districts like mine, where providers travel long distances to reach patients. This bill fixes that imbalance and helps ensure no community loses access to emergency care.”

“We all depend on our local EMS and firefighters’ dedication to the health and well-being of our communities, and they deserve our support in return,” said Rep. Brad Schneider IL-10). “I am glad to join my colleagues to introduce the bipartisan RESCUE Act to ensure our first responders are reimbursed appropriately for ambulance services. Passing the cost along to our state and local agencies puts the readiness of our emergency services at risk. We will continue to work together to support community safety and the public servants who answer every call.”