RESCUE Act of 2026
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (27 Jul 2026): Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
What this bill does
**Summary of H.R. 9970, the RESCUE Act of 2026**
This bill would change how Medicare calculates and updates payment rates for ambulance services under the ambulance fee schedule in the Social Security Act. Rather than continuing the current statutory payment formula indefinitely, the bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to review, by regulation, the components used to set ambulance payments—such as relative value units, the conversion factor, air ambulance base rates, and mileage rates—and to update them starting in 2028 to better reflect actual costs, including labor and uncompensated care costs. After that, payment amounts would be reviewed and adjusted every three years using updated cost data, with annual inflation-based increases (tied to the Consumer Price Index) in years between reviews. The bill also expands existing data-reporting requirements to include providers of air ambulance services, similar to requirements already applied to ground ambulance providers, and requires HHS to consult stakeholders by the end of 2028 on further improvements to the payment system.
The changes would primarily affect Medicare beneficiaries who use ground or air ambulance services, and the ambulance providers and suppliers—including air ambulance operators—that bill Medicare for these services, by altering how and how often their reimbursement rates are recalculated.
The bill was introduced in the House on July 27, 2026, by Rep. August Pfluger with several co-sponsors, and has been referred to the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means for consideration. No further action has yet occurred; it would need committee approval and votes in both the House and Senate, followed by presidential signature, before becoming law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Timeline
27 Jul 2026
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 9970 do?
- **Summary of H.R. 9970, the RESCUE Act of 2026** This bill would change how Medicare calculates and updates payment rates for ambulance services under the ambulance fee schedule in the Social Security Act. Rather than continuing the current statutory payment formula indefinitely, the bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to review, by regulation, the components used to set ambulance payments—such as relative value units, the conversion factor, air ambulance base rates, and mileage rates—and to update them starting in 2028 to better reflect actual costs, including labor and uncompensated care costs. After that, payment amounts would be reviewed and adjusted every three years using updated cost data, with annual inflation-based increases (tied to the Consumer Price Index) in years between reviews. The bill also expands existing data-reporting requirements to include providers of air ambulance services, similar to requirements already applied to ground ambulance providers, and requires HHS to consult stakeholders by the end of 2028 on further improvements to the payment system. The changes would primarily affect Medicare beneficiaries who use ground or air ambulance services, and the ambulance providers and suppliers—including air ambulance operators—that bill Medicare for these services, by altering how and how often their reimbursement rates are recalculated. The bill was introduced in the House on July 27, 2026, by Rep. August Pfluger with several co-sponsors, and has been referred to the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means for consideration. No further action has yet occurred; it would need committee approval and votes in both the House and Senate, followed by presidential signature, before becoming law.
- Has H.R. 9970 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 9970. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 9970?
- H.R. 9970 was sponsored by Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11] (R-TX), with 13 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 9970?
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. (27 Jul 2026).
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