everything you want to know (and don't) about arkansas politics

Bi-partisan Sponsorship
Healthcare

HB1850

To Amend The Law Concerning Ground Ambulance Services; To Clarify The Minimum Allowable Reimbursement For Ground Ambulance Services; And To Declare An Emergency.

Passed

Last Action (April 17, 2025): Notification that HB1850 is now Act 867

Sponsors

AI-Generated Summary

House Bill 1850 modifies the Arkansas Code regarding the minimum allowable reimbursement rates for ground ambulance services. It stipulates that if no local government-negotiated rate exists, the reimbursement rate shall be the lesser of the provider's billed charges or 325% of the Medicare Ambulance Fee Schedule (Arkansas Rural Rate). This change replaces the previous reference to the Workers' Compensation Commission's medical fee schedule. The bill includes an emergency clause to resolve existing conflicts and confusion between ambulance providers and insurers regarding reimbursement standards. The act is intended to take effect immediately upon the governor's approval or legal mandate. The legislation aims to standardize reimbursement calculations to ensure clarity in the healthcare billing process for ambulance services.

Potential Impact Analysis

Who Might Benefit?

Ground ambulance service providers stand to benefit directly from this bill, as it establishes a specific, standardized minimum reimbursement rate that may provide greater financial certainty and potentially higher compensation compared to previous regulatory standards. Patients may also benefit indirectly through the continued availability and stability of emergency ambulance services, as the legislation seeks to address financial ambiguities that could impact provider operations.

Who Might Suffer?

Healthcare insurers and health benefit plan providers could be negatively impacted as they may be required to increase their reimbursement payments to ambulance providers to meet the 325% of the Medicare rate threshold. Consequently, these costs may be passed on to employers or individuals in the form of higher insurance premiums or adjustments to health benefit plan structures.

Vote Records

Third Reading

April 14, 2025
Yea: 27 Nay: 4 NV: 3 Absent: 1 Passed
View individual votes (35)
Legislator Party Chamber Vote
Jane English Republican Senate Yea
Jonathan Dismang Republican Senate Yea
Greg Leding Democrat Senate Yea
Missy Irvin Republican Senate Yea
Bryan King Republican Senate NV
Kim Hammer Republican Senate Yea
Stephanie Flowers Democrat Senate Absent
Frederick Love Democrat Senate Yea
Terry Rice Republican Senate Yea
Reginald Murdock Democrat Senate Yea
Gary Stubblefield Republican Senate Yea
Jim Dotson Republican Senate Nay
John Payton Republican Senate Nay
Alan Clark Republican Senate Nay
Ronald Caldwell Republican Senate Yea
Bart Hester Republican Senate Yea
Jimmy Hickey Republican Senate Yea
Dan Sullivan Republican Senate Yea
David Wallace Republican Senate Yea
Blake Johnson Republican Senate Yea
Justin Boyd Republican Senate Yea
Clarke Tucker Democrat Senate Yea
Scott Flippo Republican Senate Yea
Clint Penzo Republican Senate NV
Mark Johnson Republican Senate Yea
Ricky Hill Republican Senate Yea
Jamie Scott Democrat Senate Yea
Breanne Davis Republican Senate Yea
Ben Gilmore Republican Senate Yea
Joshua Bryant Republican Senate NV
Matt McKee Republican Senate Nay
Jim Petty Republican Senate Yea
Steve Crowell Republican Senate Yea
Tyler Dees Republican Senate Yea
Matt Stone Republican Senate Yea

Third Reading

April 3, 2025
Yea: 86 Nay: 5 NV: 9 Absent: 0 Passed
View individual votes (100)
Legislator Party Chamber Vote
Tracy Steele Democrat House Yea
Fred Allen Democrat House Yea
Lane Jean Republican House Yea
Stephen Meeks Republican House Yea
Mark Perry Democrat House NV
Jon Eubanks Republican House Yea
Matthew Shepherd Republican House Yea
Jeff Wardlaw Republican House Yea
Bruce Cozart Republican House Yea
David Whitaker Democrat House NV
Mike Holcomb Republican House Yea
Stephen Magie Democrat House Yea
Mark McElroy Republican House Yea
Richard Womack Republican House Yea
Jack Ladyman Republican House Yea
Robin Lundstrum Republican House Nay
Dwight Tosh Republican House Yea
Rick Beck Republican House Yea
Mary Bentley Republican House Yea
Les Eaves Republican House Yea
Justin Gonzales Republican House Nay
Julie Mayberry Republican House Yea
Ken Ferguson Democrat House Yea
Ron Mcnair Republican House Yea
Marcus Richmond Republican House Yea
Deann Vaught Republican House Yea
Karilyn Brown Republican House Yea
Sonia Eubanks Barker Republican House NV
Frances Cavenaugh Republican House Yea
Jimmie Gazaway Republican House Yea
Roger Lynch Republican House Yea
John Maddox Republican House Yea
Aaron Pilkington Republican House NV
Johnny Rye Republican House Yea
Les Warren Republican House Yea
Carlton Wing Republican House Yea
Austin Mccollum Republican House NV
Carol Dalby Republican House Yea
Steve Hollowell Republican House Yea
Brian Evans Republican House Yea
Lee Johnson Republican House Yea
Andrew Collins Democrat House Yea
Stan Berry Republican House Yea
Harlan Breaux Republican House Yea
Cameron Cooper Republican House Yea
Nicole Clowney Democrat House Yea
Cindy Crawford Republican House Yea
Denise Garner Democrat House Yea
Tippi McCullough Democrat House Yea
Jay Richardson Democrat House Yea
Jim Wooten Republican House Yea
Denise Ennett Democrat House Yea
Richard McGrew Republican House Yea
Joy Springer Democrat House Yea
Howard Beaty Republican House Yea
Tony Furman Republican House Yea
Kendon Underwood Republican House Yea
David Ray Republican House Nay
John Carr Republican House Yea
Rick McClure Republican House Yea
Keith Brooks Republican House Yea
Ashley Hudson Democrat House Yea
Jon Milligan Republican House NV
RJ Hawk Republican House Yea
Wade Andrews Republican House Yea
Rebecca Burkes Republican House Nay
Hope Duke Republican House Nay
Zack Gramlich Republican House Yea
Mindy McAlindon Republican House NV
Matt Duffield Republican House Yea
Stetson Painter Republican House Yea
Steve Unger Republican House Yea
Wayne Long Republican House NV
Scott Richardson Republican House Yea
Brandon Achor Republican House Yea
Jeremiah Moore Republican House Yea
Joey Carr Republican House Yea
Matt Brown Republican House Yea
Shad Pearce Republican House Yea
Chad Puryear Republican House Yea
Ryan Rose Republican House Yea
Bart Schulz Republican House Yea
Trey Steimel Republican House Yea
Tara Shephard Democrat House Yea
Jeremy Wooldridge Republican House Yea
Kendra Moore Republican House Yea
Brit McKenzie Republican House Yea
Steven Walker Republican House Yea
Glenn Barnes Democrat House Yea
Lincoln Barnett Democrat House Yea
Alyssa Brown Republican House Yea
Nick Burkes Republican House NV
Paul Childress Republican House Yea
James Eaton Republican House Yea
Brad Hall Republican House Yea
Dolly Henley Republican House Yea
Jessie McGruder Democrat House Yea
Jason Nazarenko Republican House Yea
Randy Torres Republican House Yea
Diana Gonzales Worthen Democrat House Yea
Read Full Bill on arkleg.state.ar.us