Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) is under fire after his connections to an air ambulance company, Angel MedFlight, came to light. The company has been accused of overcharging patients, sparking accusations of hypocrisy from critics.
Reports have revealed that Kelly owned undisclosed shares in Angel MedFlight, a privately-owned air ambulance service, and also worked with them as a consultant. The controversy began when Angel MedFlight was accused in 2020 of presenting a patient with an unexpected $475,000 bill after transporting them to a hospital in 2018. This led to heightened scrutiny of Kelly’s involvement with the company.
The criticism escalated when Kelly’s opponent, Arizona Senator Martha McSally, brought up the issue during her campaign. McSally’s ads featured Dr. Harry ‘Mo’ Greene, who claimed, “Kelly was on the board of a medical transportation firm that practiced price gouging and surprise billing.”
In response to the backlash, Kelly’s campaign clarified that his role at Angel MedFlight had nothing to do with billing practices. A campaign spokesperson explained that Kelly’s contributions focused on flight safety, aircraft operations, and air crew qualifications, drawing from his own experiences with emergency medical transportation.
Critics from the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) also weighed in, accusing Kelly of hypocrisy. NRSC spokesperson Joanna Rodriguez said, “Kelly’s statements about healthcare don’t match the wealth he’s made in the private sector,” calling his actions a contradiction to his political stance.
Chuck Bell, a senior official at Consumer Reports, shed some light on the issue, noting that air ambulance services often face difficulties with insurance coverage. Bell explained, “If the service doesn’t have an agreement with your insurance provider, you may face unpredictable and excessive charges.”
Kelly’s reputation took another hit after a public clash with Elon Musk on social media. On March 10, 2025, Kelly, fresh from a trip to Ukraine, posted his support for ongoing U.S. aid, prompting Musk to call him a “traitor.” Kelly responded by announcing he would sell his Tesla, stating, “Every time I drive it, I feel like I’m advertising for someone undermining our government. Therefore, Tesla, you are dismissed!”