US Senator Roger Marshall appeared in Emporia on Friday, in part to visit the Newman Regional Health campus.
Marshall met publicly with representatives of LifeSave, the hospital’s medical air ambulance partner, before taking a short helicopter tour of the area. Marshall says his visit comes as federal conversations continue about insurance changes, including Medicare and Medicaid.
Marshall is also a co-sponsor of the No Surprises Act, designed to help patients know the costs associated with their medical care before they go forward with visits or treatments. He says air ambulance services are critical in rural settings.
Newman Regional Health Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships Steven Bazan says access is a critical factor for rural patients, especially in urgent or emergency situations.
Bazan says insurance is a concern for patients and medical professionals alike.
LifeSave is a wing of Air Methods and partners with hospitals for both helicopter and fixed-wing ambulance flights. Besides Emporia, LifeSave also has operations in Wichita and Liberal in Kansas. It also operates in most neighboring states, including Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma.
Go to KVOE’s YouTube channel for videos from Marshall’s visit.
