Introduced By Senators John Hoeven (R-ND) And Jon Tester (D-MT)

One of the amendments to the FAA reauthorization bill being debated in the U.S. Senate could change the way states regulate air ambulance services.

The issue has been in the forefront in Montana, where consumers have been hit with large bills for air ambulance services. State lawmakers say they are limited in what they can do because of federal laws.

The amendment offered by Senators John Hoeven (R-ND) And Jon Tester (D-MT) would give states more control over the regulation of air ambulance services, according to a report from Montana Public Radio.

But passage of the amendment is not a sure thing. Tester told MPR that the federal government has not taken an interest in air ambulance services in the past. "It has been well documented in Montana, and in North Dakota, and probably a lot of other states where these bills have come back way, way too high, and somebody who thinks they’re covered aren’t.”

Under current federal law, states are not allowed to regulate rates, routes or services provided by air ambulances.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.tester.senate.gov