Wichita Standard

U.S. Representatives Ron Estes (R-Kansas) and Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), together with Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colorado) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), have reintroduced the Protecting Air Ambulance Services for Americans Act. The legislation aims to update Medicare reimbursement rates for emergency air services, using data collected under the No Surprises Act passed in 2020.

“Air ambulances provide lifesaving services, especially for the many Kansans living in rural parts of our state," said Rep. Estes. "The bipartisan bill I'm reintroducing with Rep. DelBene, along with my colleagues Senators Bennet and Blackburn, is a common sense way to ensure all Americans have emergency access to hospitals and specialized providers regardless of their location. When seconds matter, air ambulances have proven to be the best way to care for patients in need, and under this legislation, the work of the pilots and medical professionals on board will continue to save lives."

Senator Bennet emphasized the importance of reliable emergency care: “Coloradans should be able to trust that if they are sick or injured, they can get the medical attention they need, no matter where they live,” he said. “As air ambulance bases across rural America have been forced to close, people in rural communities have lost access to lifesaving care. This bipartisan bill builds on our efforts to bring transparency to our health care system and improves access to lifesaving care for all Americans.”

Senator Blackburn added: “During a medical emergency, Tennesseans living in rural communities shouldn’t have to worry about access to emergency medical transportation, including air ambulance,” she said. “Our bipartisan Protecting Air Ambulance Services for Americans Act would preserve critical access to life-saving air ambulance services for Tennesseans and all Americans, no matter where they live.”

Rep. DelBene also commented on outdated reimbursement rates: "Every second counts during a medical emergency, and for many in Washington, especially in rural and underserved areas, air ambulance services are a lifeline,” she said. “Medicare’s outdated reimbursement rates no longer reflect the true cost of providing this critical care, putting access at risk. This legislation will ensure that reimbursement is based on current data, so patients can continue to count on timely, lifesaving emergency transport when it matters most."

Jana Williams from the Association of Air Medical Services expressed support: “We applaud the introduction of the Protecting Air Ambulance Services for Americans Act,” she said. “This bipartisan, bicameral legislation reflects a growing recognition that air medical providers are not just responders—they are lifelines, especially in rural and underserved communities. Air medical programs are increasingly essential mobile extensions of our national emergency care infrastructure. This bill takes a pragmatic step forward to ensure these high-acuity services remain available when and where they’re needed most. We look forward to working with Congress and other stakeholders to advance this critical legislation and protect access to life-saving care across the country.”

Brittany Cox from LifeSave Air Transport Program noted challenges faced by rural residents: “Being part of the emergency medical system gives me an up-close look at the challenges facing rural Americans when it comes to accessing critical trauma care,” she said. “The introduction of this legislation is an important step to ensure that all Kansans have access to emergency air medical transport, no matter where they live. For people in rural parts of our state, timely access to emergency care can mean the difference between life and death. We’re grateful to Representatives Estes and DelBene for their leadership and commitment to addressing this critical need.”

Ron Estes has represented Kansas’ 4th district since 2017 after succeeding Mike Pompeo as U.S Congress member https://estes.house.gov/about/. He was born in Topeka in 1956 and currently resides in Wichita.

Estes holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Tennessee Technological University.

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