Home 
The News Medical Transport Service (MTS) To Be Discontinued
The News Medical Transport Service (MTS) To Be Discontinued
| Medical Transport Service (MTS) To Be Discontinued |
 |
 |
 |
| Written by Anton K Neff |
| Friday, 08 December 2006 15:15 |
|
There have been recent developments concerning our county's Medical Transport Service (MTS). This is a service is a separate from Emergency Medical Services (EMS) although the MTS program had been managed by the EMS Director and County Commissioners.
It is safe to assume that many folks may not know the background on this issue or quite understand how the recent Commissioners’ decision to discontinue the service came about. From a budgetary standpoint since MTS was created, expenses and income concerning MTS were simply a part of the county's EMS budget. The MTS service was widely touted as a money-making service, and, with such money-making ability within a stressed (at the time) EMS budget, it was a welcome way to help the bottom line. About 3 years ago, there was a County Council debate concerning the actual profitability of MTS. Does it help of hurt the EMS budget? An interim plan to have a separate MTS “reimbursement” fund (where revenue was collected and then used to supplement the EMS budget) was later frowned upon by the State Board of Accounts. To comply with State Board of Accounts guidelines and to put the impact of this service to the test, the County Council created a separate standing MTS fund and corresponding budget two years ago. Money that only concerns MTS was collected and expenses that only concerns MTS were spent from this fund. The County Council made a commitment to give this program a chance. As long as it at least broke even each year, the service by itself would work. During the budget hearings this past September, the County Council approved an MTS budget for 2007 (its third year under the new structure). At the November council meeting, however, it was called to our attention that expenses are not matching up with revenue for the end of 2006. In addition, vehicle expenses were becoming a concern. With costs exceeding revenue projections and the need for investment into vehicles and vehicle repair, the future of this service did not look positive. Since the November Council meeting, the Board of Commissioners reviewed the issues and unanimously voted to discontinue the service. It is always unfortunate to lose a valuable service like MTS, but that doesn’t make this a poor decision. I feel confident that a lot of creativity, patience, and opportunity were given to this service in an effort to make it work. There was ample communication concerning MTS management. The EMS Director had done an outstanding job with the service. Considering the now-established impact it can have on the EMS budget and lack of alternative revenue sources the County Council has to work with, the service is not self supportive. Hopefully you find this background information valuable. Your input and feedback on this issue is important—please send me an email or contact me as I would be happy to discuss it with you. |