IL HB5857

Creates the Safety-Net Ambulance Sustainability Fund as a special fund in the State treasury to support operating expenses of nongovernmental ground ambulance providers in high-Medicaid communities.

Fund shall consist of federal, State, or private moneys designated for deposit and all interest earned, with amounts expended later recouped through audits to be returned to the Fund.

Establishes findings that ground ambulance services improve health equity and reduce disparities in underserved, minority communities, and addresses scarcity caused by underfunding from Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Requires Department of Healthcare and Family Services to increase base rates of reimbursement for ground ambulance services (non-GEMT participating providers) to at least 140% of January 1, 2023 rates from January 1, 2024 through June 30, 2026, subject to federal approval.

Increases base rates for air ambulance services to at least 50% of Medicare ambulance fee schedule rates by designated locality effective January 1, 2024, subject to federal approval.