August 7, 2026
PALTmed has sent a letter to congressional leaders on the committees of jurisdiction expressing strong support for the Portable Ultrasound Reimbursement Equity (PURE) Act (H.R. 2477/S. 1168).
The bill would close a gap in Medicare policy by reimbursing portable ultrasound transportation and set-up services the same way portable X-ray services are already covered. For PALTC patients, that means better access to timely bedside diagnostics for conditions like blood clots, heart failure, and abdominal disease, without the burden of travel to a facility.
In its letter, PALTmed noted that these services support faster clinical decisions and can help avoid unnecessary hospitalizations and emergency room visits, lowering costs for Medicare and beneficiaries alike.
The PURE Act was introduced by Reps. Beth Van Duyne (R-TX), Brad Schneider (D-IL), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), and Lori Trahan (D-MA), and Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH). PALTmed has urged the committees to take up the bill in upcoming hearings and markups.