Can the U.S. Put an End to Surprise Ambulance Bills?

What this episode covers

Congress banned most surprise medical bills back in 2020, with one major exception: ambulance rides. Most people agree that patients should be shielded from these unexpected charges. But who should pick up the tab instead? As state and federal policymakers grapple with that question, we delve into why finding a fair solution is harder than you’d think.Guests:Tara Bannow, Reporter, STATPrecious Mae Clark, patientDia Gainor, Executive Director, National Association of State EMS OfficialsZach Gaumer, Principal, Health Management AssociatesJames Gelfand, JD President and CEO, ERISA Industry CommitteeBob Herman, Reporter, STATPete Lawrence, Deputy Chief, Oceanside FireButch Oberhoff, President, Texas EMS AllianceLeslie Walker, Senior Reporter/Producer, TradeoffsMatt Zavadsky, At-Large Director, National Association of EMTsTo learn more, read a full transcript on our website and check out our reporting partner STAT's story, too.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift, which for a limited time will be matched!Still not enough Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Tradeoffs?

This episode is 32 minutes long.

When was this Tradeoffs episode published?

This episode was published on November 9, 2023.

What is this episode about?

Congress banned most surprise medical bills back in 2020, with one major exception: ambulance rides. Most people agree that patients should be shielded from these unexpected charges. But who should pick up the tab instead? As state and federal...

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