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Pfluger Introduces RESCUE Act to Update Medicare Ambulance Payments

8/21/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) introduced the bipartisan RESCUE Act to overhaul Medicare ambulance payments.
The bill directs CMS—Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services—to update ambulance fees with current cost data, rates beginning 2028.
It mandates comprehensive payment reviews every three years and inflation adjustments in intervening years.
Supporters say updated reimbursements would cut $1,500 per-transport shortfalls, per a 2024 RAND study.

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Story summary

Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) introduced the bipartisan RESCUE Act to overhaul Medicare ambulance payments.
The bill directs CMS—Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services—to update ambulance fees with current cost data, rates beginning 2028.
It mandates comprehensive payment reviews every three years and inflation adjustments in intervening years.
Supporters say updated reimbursements would cut $1,500 per-transport shortfalls, per a 2024 RAND study.