safety
The Last Surprise Bill: Tennessee’s failed fight to close the ground ambulance loophole
By Stacey Cameron at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· June 25, 2026
· 5 min read
What This Story Is AboutA Clarksville, Tennessee, man received a surprise ground ambulance bill for more than $4,800 after an emergency transfer. The case highlights a loophole in the federal No Surprises Act and Tennessee’s failed effort to ban balance billing for emergency ambulance rides.Why I...
Key takeaway Why It MattersThe man said the ambulance bill he received was twice the cost of his surgery.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The case of Joshua Carlson, a Clarksville man who received a surprise ground ambulance bill of over $4,800, puts a face to the thousands of patients in Tennessee who remain vulnerable to balance billing for emergency ambulance rides. Despite the state House unanimously passing a bill to close the federal loophole, its stalling in the Senate means that patients like Carlson will continue to bear the brunt of unexpected medical expenses. As lawmakers prepare to push for legislation in the next session, it's crucial to consider the financial burden that surprise ambulance bills can impose on families in Nashville and beyond. With the average cost of living in the city continuing to rise, the last thing residents need is the added stress of exorbitant medical bills. The upcoming legislative session will be a critical test of the state's commitment to protecting patients from surprise billing, and Nashville residents will be watching closely to see if lawmakers can finally close this loophole.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? What This Story Is AboutA Clarksville, Tennessee, man received a surprise ground ambulance bill for more than $4,800 after an emergency transfer. The case highlights a loophole in the federal No Surprises Act and Tennessee’s failed effort to ban balance billing for emergency ambulance rides.Why I...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Stacey Cameron at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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