The U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 341 to 88 has passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2026, which would fund the rest of the Federal government for the remainder of FY 2026. Included in the legislative package is an extension for 23 months of the 2% urban, 3% rural, and 22.6% super rural temporary increases in Medicare payments for ground ambulance service organizations. The Senate is scheduled to consider the package next week in time to avoid a partial government shutdown at the end of the month.

The temporary ambulance increases currently run through January 30. Under the package, the increases would be extended through December 31, 2027. Most of the temporary Medicare provider and supplier provisions set to expire would be extended for 11 months through the end of this year. As a result of the efforts of our champions and supporters on Capitol Hill, we were able secure a longer extension at the same duration of the temporary telehealth provision.

According to an estimate by the Congressional Budget Office, the additional year will provide more than $100 million in relief for a total of $197 million in continued funding to ground ambulance service organizations over the next 23 months.

We will keep you informed as to the Senate consideration of the package.