As an Army Veteran, who served as a company commander and am now a regional operations manager with The Mission Continues, an organization that connects veterans with service opportunities in communities across the U.S., including Washington state, I am very concerned about an upcoming rule change by the Department of Veterans Affairs to cut reimbursement rates for ambulance services at or below Medicare rates and offer no payment if veterans are transported to a non-VA facility.
Ground and air ambulances are a lifeline for veterans, especially to those living in rural or remote areas. Considering that more than a quarter of all veterans (4.4 million) live in rural areas throughout this country, this rule would significantly reduce their ability to access the care despite all they fought and sacrificed for. The industry’s specialized teams provide more than medical transport; they can be the difference between life or death for a veteran.
Not only that, but if implemented, this rule will substantially reduce rural ambulance capacity, harming everyone in rural communities by limiting access to lifesaving medical care.
The VA must delay the rule change to allow time to properly assess its impact on veterans’ access to health care. Any change to reimbursement rates must not negatively impact veterans’ access to the lifesaving medical care our heroes deserve.
Linh Thai
The Mission Continues
Seattle
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