Sen. Marklein introduces bill in Wisconsin Senate to adjust ambulance reimbursement rates

A new bill authored by State Sen. Marklein seeks to align reimbursement rates for ambulance services and enhance oversight of emergency medical personnel training, according to the Wisconsin State Senate.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature’s official website, the bill was described as follows: “reimbursement of emergency services under the Medical Assistance program when a patient is not transported, reporting on changes to the scope of practice of emergency medical responders and emergency medical services practitioners, and eligibility for the expenditure restraint incentive program. (FE)”.

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill mandates that, starting Jan. 1, 2027, the Department of Health Services adjust the reimbursement rate for non-transport ambulance services under the Medical Assistance program to align with the maximum allowable rate for emergency basic life support transport services. It also requires the Emergency Medical Services Board to collaborate with the Department of Health Services and the Technical College System Board to produce an annual report on changes to the scope of practice for emergency medical personnel both statewide and nationally, assessing how these changes might affect their training. Lastly, the bill adjusts eligibility for the expenditure restraint incentive program by excluding amounts levied for fees charged to municipalities with joint fire or emergency medical services from local levy limit considerations.

The bill was co-authored by Representative Tony Kurtz (Republican-41st District), Senator Dora E. Drake (Democrat-4th District), Senator Jodi Habush Sinykin (Democrat-8th District), Senator Brad Pfaff (Democrat-32nd District), Senator Mark Spreitzer (Democrat-15th District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Deb Andraca (Democrat-23rd District), Representative Barbara Dittrich (Republican-99th District), and Representative Bob G. Donovan (Republican-61st District), along 23 other co-sponsors.

Howard L. Marklein has authored or co-authored another 22 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.

Marklein graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater in 1976 with a BBA.

Marklein, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2015 to represent the state’s 17th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Dale Schultz.

In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.