To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure appropriate payments for ambulance services under the Medicare program.

On July 27, 2026, Representative August Pfluger (R-TX) introduced HR9970, a bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure appropriate payments for ambulance services under Medicare. The bill was referred to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means, both of which have jurisdiction over Medicare payment policy. It has 7 original cosponsors, including both Republicans and Democrats, indicating bipartisan interest but no committee leadership sponsorship. The bill is in its earliest legislative stage—referred to committee—with no hearings, markups, or reported text available. No specific funding amount is authorized or appropriated; the bill adjusts payment formulas within existing Medicare budget neutrality constraints. The primary beneficiaries would be ambulance service providers, which are predominantly local government entities, non-profit organizations, and private ambulance companies—most of which are not publicly traded. Major publicly traded healthcare companies like HCA, UHS, or UNH have minimal exposure to ambulance service reimbursement, as ambulance services represent a tiny fraction of their revenue. Without a clear causal chain to a publicly traded company, no tickers are included. The legislative path is long: committee consideration, potential House floor vote, Senate companion bill, conference, and presidential action. Given the early stage and lack of direct public company impact, the market implications are negligible.