Appropriations panel backs higher Medicaid payments for ambulance runs as stopgap

The Senate Appropriations Committee on Feb. 14 advanced a bill to increase Medicaid reimbursement for ambulance runs to match Medicare payment levels, a change sponsors described as a stopgap to shore up emergency medical services.

A sponsor told the committee ambulance systems face rising fixed costs—testimony cited a $500,000 annual fixed‑cost figure for some services—and that Medicaid currently pays an average of $349 per call while Medicare pays $3,576 and private pay averages $950 per call, according to testimony in committee. Raising Medicaid to Medicare rates would shift a larger share of cost to federal matching funds; the sponsor estimated the biennial fiscal impact at roughly $2,600,000, split about half state general fund and half federal funds.

Department of Health deputy director Franz Fuchs and state medic Jesse Springer attended to answer Medicaid and EMS questions. Committee members and witnesses said the change will not solve all long‑term funding problems for ambulance services, but proponents said it is a substantive first step to improve reimbursement and help maintain statewide coverage.

The clerk recorded a roll‑call vote on the bill (labeled Senate File 4): Senators Driscoll, French, Gru and Larson and Chairman Salazar voted Aye; one member was excused. The clerk announced the bill ‘do pass’ with 4 ayes and 1 excused.

Lawmakers and stakeholders signaled the issue will return for further attention as fixed costs continue to rise and service consolidation or other funding solutions may be needed.