Testimony in Support of S2715 – An Act Relating to Accident and Sickness Insurance - Ground Ambulance
Senate Health and Human Services Committee
April 4, 2024, 2024
Nina Harrison, Policy Director, The Economic Progress Institute
The Economic Progress Institute strongly supports Sen. DiMario’s S2715, which would require health insurance coverage to include transportation for emergency services by ambulance or rescue.
Rhode Islanders value safety, fairness, and good health, and we must ensure that insurance companies treat Rhode Islanders fairly, especially our sickest and most vulnerable residents. The Federal No Surprise Act protects consumers from many of the most prevalent forms of surprise billing by out-of-network providers and facilities in the emergency room, air ambulance, and in-network hospital settings; however, it does not cover ground ambulances. The Commonwealth Fund notes that this “is a pressing issue— an estimated 28 percent of privately insured ambulance rides could result in surprise bills because of ambulance providers being out of network and insurers not paying the full charges.” At a time when 61 percent of single adults in RI cannot afford to meet their basic needs1, it is important we do what we can to protect Rhode Islanders from unaffordable surprise bills incurred because of medical emergencies.
Emergencies are unpredictable. An ambulance ride cannot be planned ahead of time, and when it becomes a necessity, the last thing Rhode Islanders should worry about is the potential financial burden. We urge you to pass S2715.