February 4, 2026 | 2:00 PM ET

Panelists will provide an update on the status of efforts of the AAA Payment Reform Committee and National Ambulance Payment Reform Committee to develop recommendations on changes in Medicare ambulance payment. The panel will also address the temporary Medicare ambulance add-on payments scheduled to expire on January 30 and how the payments factor into payment reform.

Speakers

Shawn Baird 

Shawn is the VP of State Affairs and Strategic Advocacy for AAA. He has been a paramedic, ambulance service owner, and recently CEO of a multi-state service. Shawn served on NEMSAC and GAPBAC and is currently Chair of the National Payment Reform Group formed by AAA and other stakeholder organizations.

Tristan North

Tristan North is Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for the AAA and leads the legislative and regulatory policy efforts of the organization. He has been advocating on EMS and ambulance policies for over 25 years and has a deep understanding of the political and legislative process. Tristan began his career on Capitol Hill as a staff member for the House Committee on Financial Services.

Kathy Lester