VA Emergency Transportation Act

119th Congress Introduced by Mark Alford and 2 co-sponsors

H.R. 9212 would reimburse veterans for emergency transportation by non-VA providers, expanding "emergency services" to include ambulance and air ambulance transport.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill overview

Name: VA Emergency Transportation Act

Bill number: H.R. 9212 (119th Congress, 2nd Session)

Introduced: June 9, 2026 by Rep. Alford (with Reps. Kim and Neguse as sponsors)

Purpose: To amend title 38, United States Code, to reimburse veterans for the cost of emergency medical transportation to a Federal facility, and for related purposes.

Main purpose and intent

The bill seeks to expand the scope of emergency medical services funded or reimbursed in connection with veterans’ care. Specifically, it redefines and broadens the concept of “emergency services” to include emergency transportation, ensuring that veterans who receive emergency medical transportation by non-Department providers are eligible for reimbursement when the transport is to or from facilities, including Federal facilities.

Key provisions and changes

Reframing of terms:

Changes the terminology from “emergency treatment” to “emergency services” across the relevant statute.
Broadens definitions to include both emergency treatment and emergency transportation as covered emergency services.

Definitions added:

“Emergency transportation” means transportation by ambulance or air ambulance provided by a non-Department provider.
Covered scenarios include:
Transportation to a facility for emergency treatment.
Transportation from a non-Department facility where emergency treatment was received to a Department facility or another Federal facility.
Transportation must align with criteria described in the bill (e.g., timing provisions in subsection (3)(C) of the amended text).

Reimbursement focus:

The amendment centers on reimbursing veterans for the costs associated with emergency transportation, when the transport is arranged by non-Department providers.

Technical corrections:

Adjusts references in the statute (e.g., moving from 1725(h)(1) to 1725(h)).
Amends the table of sections to replace references to “emergency treatment” with “emergency services.”

Who is affected

Veterans who receive emergency medical transportation from non-Department (non-VA) providers.

Veterans requiring transport to or from facilities for emergency medical care, including transfers to Federal facilities.

Providers of emergency transportation services (ambulance and air ambulance operators) may interact with VA reimbursement processes.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Legislative path:

Referred to House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (and to Subcommittee on Health).
No further actions or schedule are specified in the text provided.

Effective date and implementation details are not included in the bill text excerpt; typical implementation would require VA rulemaking and funding considerations.

Summary

H.R. 9212 aims to ensure veterans are reimbursed for emergency transportation costs when non-VA providers deliver such services, expanding statutory language to include emergency transportation within the umbrella of “emergency services.” It introduces definitions for emergency transportation and broadens the scope of covered scenarios, aligning terminology and making targeted amendments to the Code to facilitate reimbursement and clarify eligibility.