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TO MEMORIALIZE THE SOUTH CAROLINA CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AND URGE THEM TO SUPPORT CONSUMER PROTECTIONS RECOMMENDED BY THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR TRANSPARENCY IN THE AIR AMBULANCE INDUSTRY.
Whereas, the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 prohibits states from regulating the price, route, or service of an air carrier for the purposes of keeping national commercial air travel competitive; and
Whereas, as a result, South Carolina consumers are experiencing the excessive charges billed by air ambulance providers and are unable to pass a law that would protect consumers from unreasonable bills as the state laws are preempted by the Airline Deregulation Act; and
Whereas, according to Consumer Reports, prices have spiked, with one of the largest operators of air ambulance services increasing the average amount they charge from $13,000 in 2007 to $50,200 in 2016; and
Whereas, air ambulance providers do not reveal the actual costs of their services, leading to opportunities ripe for price-gouging and unfair balance billing practices; and
Whereas, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 established an advisory committee to make recommendations to establish certain requirements for an air ambulance bill or invoice and other consumer protections; and
Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives urges the South Carolina Congressional delegation to take charge and work to allow South Carolina the flexibility to protect consumers by regulating how air ambulance carriers are reimbursed and make information transparent to customers as a means to prevent unfair billing practices. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the House of Representatives, by this resolution, memorialize the South Carolina Congressional Delegation and urge them to support consumer protections recommended by the Advisory Committee for Transparency in the Air Ambulance Industry.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to the members of the South Carolina Congressional Delegation.
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