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Bill

SB 5764

Repealing the expiration date for the ambulance transport fund.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Perry Dozier and 2 co-sponsors

Repeals the program’s sunset, ensuring the Ambulance Transport Quality Assurance Fee Fund and Medicaid add-ons for emergency ambulance payments continue indefinitely.

Effective date 7/27/2025.
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Bill Summary · SB 5764

Summary of SB 5764 — Repealing the expiration date for the ambulance transport fund

Overview

SB 5764 repeals the expiration date of the Ambulance Transport Quality Assurance Fee Program, ensuring the program and its funding mechanism continue indefinitely. The bill was introduced February 18, 2025, and, after legislative action, became effective July 27, 2025.

What the bill does

  • Repeals the expiration date of the Ambulance Transport Quality Assurance Fee Program (the program).
  • Keeps the existing framework: private ambulance providers pay a quarterly fee, with government-owned providers exempt; funds go into the Ambulance Transport Fund to support program costs, provider payments, Medicaid add-ons, and related administration.
  • Maintains the Medicaid add-on payment structure that ensures total reimbursement for emergency ambulance transports reaches at least 60% of the statewide Medicare rate, funded from the fees, interest, and federal funds (without supplanting other funds).

Background and context

  • The program began July 1, 2021. It originally carried an expiration date of July 1, 2028.
  • The fee rate is determined annually by the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) and is calculated as 5.5% of projected gross receipts for providers subject to the fee, allocated by projected annual transports.
  • Fees and interest are deposited into the Ambulance Transport Fund, a dedicated account used for program administration, enhanced provider payments, refund of erroneous hospital payments, and Medicaid emergency ambulance payments in lieu of General Fund money.

Key provisions and changes

  • Repeal: The program’s expiration date is removed; the program is intended to operate without a sunset.
  • No new appropriation: The bill does not itself authorize new appropriations.
  • Effective date: 90 days after adjournment of the session (in practice, the enacted law reflects an effective date in 2025).
  • Fiscal note: A fiscal note is available; the measure is described as budget neutral, relying on fees and federal participation.

Who is affected

  • Affected: Private ambulance transport providers that bill and receive patient care revenue (government-owned providers remain exempt).
  • Indirect effects: Providers benefit from a stable funding stream that supports wage/benefit improvements and ongoing add-on payments for Medicaid emergency ambulance services.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Legislative actions show rapid progression in 2025, with passage in both chambers and signature by the Governor in April 2025.
  • Effective date established as 7/27/2025 in the status update.

Potential impact

  • Provides long-term funding stability for ambulance transport services.
  • Maintains budget-neutrality by continuing the fee-based funding and federal match.
  • Reduces the risk of disruption should the expiration have been reached, preserving add-on Medicaid payments and program administration.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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