House Passes Bill to Strengthen Medicaid Support for Emergency Ambulance Services

Legislation from Rep. David Stuebe receives unanimous support to update reimbursement rates and maintain federal compliance.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The Washington State House of Representatives unanimously passed House Bill 2531, legislation introduced by Rep. David Stuebe, that would reinforce Medicaid support for emergency ambulance providers and protect access to lifesaving services across the state. The bill would modernize the way Medicaid reimbursement rates are calculated and adjusted for emergency ambulance transports.

Why it matters

Reliable Medicaid funding is crucial for ambulance providers, especially in rural communities, to retain trained professionals, maintain emergency vehicles, and ensure continued access to critical emergency services. This legislation aims to strengthen the financial foundation for these providers while maintaining federal compliance.

The details

Under the legislation, the state would continue collecting a quality assurance fee from private, nongovernmental ambulance providers, placing those funds into a dedicated account, and using them to draw down federal Medicaid matching dollars. Those combined funds would then be used to increase reimbursement rates for emergency transports. The bill would also require the Health Care Authority to update the Medicaid add-on payment for emergency ambulance transports each year to better reflect real-time conditions and available federal funding.

  • The Washington State House of Representatives unanimously passed HB 2531 on Thursday, February 13, 2026.
  • The bill now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

The players

Rep. David Stuebe

A Republican state representative from Washougal, Washington, who introduced HB 2531 to strengthen Medicaid support for emergency ambulance services.

Washington State House of Representatives

The lower chamber of the Washington state legislature that unanimously passed HB 2531.

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What they’re saying

“Ambulance providers are often the first and only line of care in a crisis, particularly in rural communities. This legislation strengthens the financial foundation they depend on and helps ensure Washington does not leave federal Medicaid dollars on the table.”

— Rep. David Stuebe (clarkcountytoday.com)

“Reliable funding allows providers to plan ahead, retain trained professionals, and keep emergency vehicles ready to respond. This approach balances stability for providers with accountability for taxpayers.”

— Rep. David Stuebe (clarkcountytoday.com)

What’s next

The bill now moves to the Washington State Senate for further consideration.

The takeaway

This legislation aims to strengthen the financial foundation for emergency ambulance providers in Washington, ensuring continued access to critical lifesaving services, especially in rural areas, while maintaining federal Medicaid compliance.