hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Medicare to cover ambulance care without transport.
Sen. Welch (D-VT) & 5 other Senators.
Introduced in Senate, referred to committee.
This bill aims to make sure Medicare pays for ambulance services provided on-scene, even if the patient isn't transported to a hospital. This would change how Medicare currently reimburses ambulance services. Senator Welch, a Democrat from Vermont, introduced the bill along with five other senators, and it has been sent to the Senate Finance Committee for review. For it to become law, it must pass both the Senate and the House and be signed by the President.
Introduced Jan 29, 2026
The bill was introduced in the Senate on January 29, 2026, and then referred to the Senate Committee on Finance. It will need to pass through this committee before it can be considered by the full Senate for a vote. After passing the Senate, it would then move to the House of Representatives for their consideration, and finally, to the President to be signed into law.
If this bill passes, Medicare recipients who call an ambulance but are treated on-scene without being taken to a hospital could find those services covered. Currently, Medicare often only pays for ambulance services if transportation occurs. This change could also mean that ambulance service providers are reimbursed for providing on-scene care at a rate comparable to what they'd receive for transport, potentially encouraging more 'treat-in-place' services. These changes would apply to services provided starting January 1, 2027.
Supporters Say
The bill text does not detail specific arguments from supporters.
Critics Say
The bill text does not detail specific arguments from critics.
The provided bill text focuses solely on the legislative language and does not include information on arguments from supporters or critics. Such information would typically emerge during committee hearings or public debate.