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TO MEMORIALIZE THE SOUTH CAROLINA CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AND URGE THEM TO SUPPORT THE TIMELY REVIEW OF PENDING LEGISLATION REGARDING THE AIRLINE DEREGULATION ACT OF 1978.
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 unable to pass a law that would protect consumers from unreasonable bills as the state laws are preempted by the Airline Deregulations 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, members of the United States House and Senate are drafting bipartisan legislation to amend the Airline Deregulation Act to allow a state to regulate air ambulances in a limited way to protect consumers from excessive out-of-network charges while keeping national commercial air travel competitive; 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 the timely review of pending legislation regarding the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978.
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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