I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1445 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 9, 2017 Mr. Coffman (for himself, Mr. Abraham , Ms. DeLauro , and Mr. Takano ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the circumstances under which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide reimbursement for emergency ambulance services.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Veterans Reimbursement for Emergency Ambulance Services Act or the VREASA . 2. Secretary of Veterans Affairs reimbursement for emergency ambulance services (a) In general Section 1725(c) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (5) In delineating the circumstances under which reimbursement may be made under this section for ambulance services for an individual, the Secretary shall treat such services as emergency services for which reimbursement may be made under this section if the Secretary determines that— (A) the request for ambulance services was made as a result of the sudden onset of a medical condition of such a nature that a prudent layperson who possesses an average knowledge of health and medicine— (i) would have reasonably expected that a delay in seeking immediate medical attention would have been hazardous to the life or health of the individual; or (ii) could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in placing the health of the individual in serious jeopardy, the serious impairment of bodily functions, or the serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part; and (B) the individual is transported to the closest and most appropriate medical facility capable of treating such emergency medical condition. . (b) Effective date The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to ambulance services provided on or after January 1, 2017.