HB447 replaces market negotiation with government-mandated ambulance rates that will drive up healthcare costs for Kentucky families, employers, and taxpayers:
- Legislates Prices Instead of Negotiation
- Ambulance company executives are pressuring the legislature to set their rates rather than negotiate
- Eliminates market-based contracting for both in-network and out-of-network companies
- Mandates Rates Up to 4X Medicare
- Requires payment at a government-set local rate or up to 400% of Medicare
- Applies regardless of network status or billed value
- Drives Up Kentuckians’ Healthcare Costs
- Estimated to increase consumer healthcare costs by more than $5 million annually
- Projected costs of nearly $10 million per year to the state employee health plan, driving up costs for state, local, and municipal employees, their families, and all taxpayers
- Imposes New Government Mandates
- Requires coverage of all emergency ground ambulance services, including those provided by out-of-network companies
- Automatically deems services medically necessary with no oversight
- Mandates payment within 30 days and direct payment to out-of-network companies
- Undermines Affordability
- Inflates prices for services already being provided today
- Shifts higher costs directly to employers, families, and taxpayers
Bottom Line
HB447 expands government rate-setting, increases healthcare costs, and removes flexibility—without improving services or outcomes.
We urge the Kentucky State House to oppose HB447.