Michael Bennet (D-CO)
Protecting Air Ambulance Services for Americans Act of 2025
A Democratic bill with 7 Republican cosponsors · See all 13 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Protecting Air Ambulance Services for Americans Act of 2025," aims to amend the Social Security Act regarding Medicare payments for air ambulance services. It authorizes the Secretary to revise the existing fee schedule for these services based on specific collected data. To do this, providers must submit data every three years concerning their operating costs, service utilization, and revenue. The bill also requires the Secretary to finalize and publish a rule regarding air ambulance data collection within six months of enactment. Additionally, it mandates a GAO study to analyze operating costs, transport costs, and the adequacy of current Medicare payments.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +5
Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65?
The bill allows the Secretary to revise the fee schedule to potentially better reflect the actual costs of air ambulance services.
- Scored +4
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
The bill targets the adequacy of Medicare payments, which directly impacts the quality and availability of air ambulance services for seniors.
- Scored +4
Would retired people be better off under this?
As many retirees rely on Medicare, the stabilization of air ambulance payment schedules provides more secure emergency medical transport options.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Revised Payment Schedules: The Secretary is given the authority to revise the fee schedule for air ambulance services based on collected data (Section 2, Subparagraph A). This could lead to a payment system that more accurately reflects the actual costs of providing these services.
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Increased Data Transparency: Providers will be required to submit data every three years regarding fixed and operated costs per base, service utilization, and revenue (Section 2, Subparagraph C). This collection of information aims to provide a clearer picture of the costs involved in air ambulance services.
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Formal Cost and Adequacy Study: The Comptroller General is tasked with submitting a report that includes the average cost per transport and the adequacy of current Medicare payments (Section 4). This study is designed to provide specific recommendations on improving the fee schedule.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- New Data Reporting Burdens: Providers of air ambulance services and suppliers will be required to submit specific data to the Secretary once every three years (Section 2, Subparagraph C). This includes information on costs, utilization, and revenue, which adds a new requirement for these service providers.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would retired people be better off under this? — As many retirees rely on Medicare, the stabilization of air ambulance payment schedules provides more secure emergency medical transport options. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill targets the adequacy of Medicare payments, which directly impacts the quality and availability of air ambulance services for seniors. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Improving the stability of Medicare-funded services helps ensure that low-income individuals relying on Medicare have access to air ambulances.
- Healthcare
- Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65? — The bill allows the Secretary to revise the fee schedule to potentially better reflect the actual costs of air ambulance services. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — By ensuring the adequacy of Medicare payments for air ambulance services, the bill aims to protect the availability of these critical services.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates a transparent process for revising the fee schedule and includes a requirement for a GAO report on costs.
- 6/24/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 3/11/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 1/29/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 10/27/2025
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- 7/29/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Marsha BlackburnRepublican · Tennessee
Ted BuddRepublican · North Carolina
Shelley CapitoRepublican · West Virginia
Catherine Cortez MastoDemocrat · Nevada
Steve DainesRepublican · Montana
John HickenlooperDemocrat · Colorado
Martin HeinrichDemocrat · New Mexico
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico
Tim ScottRepublican · South Carolina
Brian SchatzDemocrat · Hawaii
Tim SheehyRepublican · Montana
Tommy TubervilleRepublican · Alabama
Mark WarnerDemocrat · Virginia