Make ambulances affordable and accessible. An act to make ambulances affordable and accessible.

 

The purpose of this act is to make ambulance services more affordable for Minnesota residents by reducing prices,

providing free passes for eligible citizens and promoting transparency in billing practices. This act aims to address

the financial burden of ambulances on individuals and families, while ensuring that emergency medical services remain

accessible and sustainable.

 

Ambulance services are essential for emergency medical care, but high costs can burden individuals. According to the

Minnesota Department of Health, the average cost of an ambulance ride in Minnesota is $1,900 (over $400 with medicare)

but some costs exceed $2,000. There’s an additional mileage charge of $10 to $30 per mile. If you need advanced life

support, that can add another $975 to $1,300 to the total cost. And if you require oxygen or other medical supplies,

that's extra too. Depending on the scenario costs can jump up to $3000 or even $4000. That’s not a price something the

average person can manage to toss around. 37% of Minnesotans can’t afford to pay $400 on the spot. Now imagine when the

cost is in the thousands. Additionally, 12.8% of patients transported by private vehicles die en route, and are 2.5

times more likely to die compared to those transported by ambulance.No amount of money can equate to the value of a

human life. And no one’s life should be put in danger because they can’t afford something.

 

 

For the purposes of this act, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

• "Ambulance service" means emergency medical transportation by ground or air, including basic life support, advanced

life support, and specialty care transport services.

• "Base rate" means the initial charge for ambulance services, excluding mileage and other additional fees.

• "Mileage rate" means the charge per mile for ambulance transportation.

• "Affiliated provider" means an ambulance service provider contracted with a hospital or healthcare system to provide

emergency medical services.

• "Emergency medical services" (EMS) means the provision of emergency medical care and transportation, including

ambulance services.

 

 

Funding and Reimbursement

To implement this act, the state shall allocate $5 million annually from the General Fund to support ambulance service

providers. Ambulance service providers shall receive reimbursement for services rendered at a rate 20% lower than the

current average rate. The commissioner of health shall establish a grant program to support affiliated providers in

implementing cost-saving measures, such as:

• Consolidating services and reducing administrative costs.

• Implementing efficient dispatch and routing systems.

• Developing partnerships with healthcare providers to reduce costs.

The grant program shall prioritize applications from affiliated providers that serve rural or underserved areas.

 

 

Any ambulance service provider failing to comply with this act shall be subject to:

• A fine of up to $1,000 for the first offense.

• A fine of up to $5,000 for subsequent offenses.

• Revocation of licensure for repeated non-compliance.

Someone attempting to use it for non serious reasons could get 1 or both passes revoked

Continued abuse of or fraud could get the passes revoked for 2-5 years.

Implement a robust tracking and monitoring system: Develop a system to track and monitor the use of free ambulance

rides, including the number of rides used, the medical conditions being transported, and the outcomes of the transports.

Tracking system is by the organization providing the passes

The commissioner of health shall enforce this act and may:

• Conduct investigations and audits to ensure compliance.

• Impose penalties and fines for non-compliance.

• Require corrective action plans to address non-compliance.

 

 

This act shall be effective on January 8 2028 , and shall apply to all ambulance service providers operating in

Minnesota. The commissioner of health shall report annually to the legislature on the implementation and effectiveness

of this act.