[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 57 (Tuesday, May 1, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E692]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       EMERGENCY AMBULANCE SERVICES ACCESS ASSURANCE ACT OF 2001

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. FRED UPTON

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 1, 2001

  Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce H.R. 1648, the 
Emergency Ambulance Services Access Act of 2001. This legislation will 
ensure payment for emergency hospital services and emergency ambulance 
services under a ``prudent layperson'' test under group health plans 
and health insurance coverage. I am pleased to be joined by my 
colleague Ed Towns in introducing this legislation, which we hope will 
be included in any patient protection legislation that moves through 
the House in this Congress.
  Individuals suffering from what they have every reason to believe to 
be life threatening conditions should not have to call their insurance 
plan before they call for an ambulance. And patients and ambulance 
services should not be stuck with the bill should the condition turn 
out to be less than life-threatening once the patient is diagnosed in 
the emergency room.
  Some people assume that because a patient protection bill which 
includes a prudent layperson standard for emergency room services also 
covers emergency ambulance services. But that wasn't the case at all 
before we introduced this legislation in the last Congress at the start 
of the debate over patient protection. Most of the bills amended the 
Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act. That Act covers only 
what happens after you enter the emergency room. It does not include 
ambulance services. As the debate progressed, most of the bills and 
amendments that received active consideration in the House and Senate 
were amended or redrafted to apply the prudent layperson standard 
specifically to emergency ambulance services.
  I urge my colleagues to join me and Ed Towns in cosponsoring this 
legislation. You will be demonstrating your support for ensuring that 
emergency ambulance services are included in the more comprehensive 
patient protection legislation that will be considered in the House. To 
become a cosponsor or obtain further information, please call us or 
Jane Williams of my staff, who may be reached at 5-3761.

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