SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Timothy S. Grayson (D-Concord) introduced legislation to increase Medi-Cal reimbursement rates for emergency air ambulance providers to ensure that vital life-saving services remain available to residents throughout the state.
After introducing AB 2593, Assemblymember Grayson released the following statement: “Air ambulance service is a critical and life-saving service and it is often a patient’s only hope. This bill will increase reimbursement rates which will allow air ambulance providers to better meet escalating operating costs and ensure this vital service is available to all Californians when they are facing a life or death situation.”
The vast majority of the emergency air ambulance services throughout California are provided by private entities that do not receive local tax support. Medi-Cal reimbursement rates are far below the cost to provide this life-saving service, which is critical for transporting victims, especially those in rural areas, who are in need of medical attention to trauma centers, burn units, Children’s Hospitals, and other facilities. In addition to being an essential part of the statewide Emergency Service System, air ambulances play a key role in disaster response and homeland security.
Tim Grayson represents the 14th Assembly District that includes the communities of Benicia, Concord, Clayton, Martinez, Pleasant Hill, Vallejo, Pittsburg and Walnut Creek For more information please visit the Assemblymember’s website, www.assembly.ca.gov/a14.
