ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON GROUND AMBULANCE AND PATIENT BILLING.

SEC. 117. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON GROUND AMBULANCE AND PATIENT BILLING. (a) In General.—Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor, Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of the Treasury (the Secretaries) shall jointly establish an advisory committee for the purpose of reviewing options to improve the disclosure of charges and fees for ground ambulance services, better inform consumers of insurance options for such services, and protect consumers from balance billing. (b) Composition of the Advisory Committee.—The advisory committee shall be composed of the following members: (1) The Secretary of Labor, or the Secretary’s designee. (2) The Secretary of Health and Human Services, or the Secretary’s designee. (3) The Secretary of the Treasury, or the Secretary’s designee. (4) One representative, to be appointed jointly by the Secretaries, for each of the following: (A) Each relevant Federal agency, as determined by the Secretaries. (B) State insurance regulators. (C) Health insurance providers. (D) Patient advocacy groups. (E) Consumer advocacy groups. (F) State and local governments. (G) Physician specializing in emergency, trauma, cardiac, or stroke. (H) State Emergency Medical Services Officials. (I) Emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and other emergency medical services personnel. (5) Three representatives, to be appointed jointly by the Secretaries, to represent the various segments of the ground ambulance industry. (6) Up to an additional 2 representatives otherwise not described in paragraphs (1) through (5), as determined necessary and appropriate by the Secretaries. (c) Consultation.—The advisory committee shall, as appropriate, consult with relevant experts and stakeholders, including those not otherwise included under subsection (b), while conducting the review described in subsection (a). (d) Recommendations.—The advisory committee shall make recommendations with respect to disclosure of charges and fees for ground ambulance services and insurance coverage, consumer protection and enforcement authorities of the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury and State authorities, and the prevention of balance billing to consumers. The recommendations shall address, at a minimum— (1) options, best practices, and identified standards to prevent instances of balance billing; (2) steps that can be taken by State legislatures, State insurance regulators, State attorneys general, and other State officials as appropriate, consistent with current legal authorities regarding consumer protection; and (3) legislative options for Congress to prevent balance billing. (e) Report.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the first meeting of the advisory committee, the advisory committee shall submit to the Secretaries, and the Committees on Education and Labor, Energy and Commerce, and Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Finance and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions a report containing the recommendations made under subsection (d).