Published: June 10, 2008 02:28 am      

City council raises EMS rates

PALESTINE — After more than six years at the same rates, the cost of using an ambulance from the Palestine Regional Medical Center is rising.

The Palestine City Council unanimously approved a proposed set of rate increases requested by the Palestine Regional EMS during Monday night’s regular council meeting.

Annual subscribers to the Palestine Regional EMS shouldn’t see any changes in their $48 fee this year. But those who either rely on insurance coverage to pick up a portion or who are uninsured and pay the full cost of ambulance transportation will see a big change.

Previously, Palestine Regional EMS base rates ranged from $375 for a Basic Life Support non-emergency room call to $500 for an Advanced Life Support 2 emergency room call.

Under the new rate structure, the base rate for a BLS non-emergency room call will increase to $650. The ALS 2 emergency room base rate will be $800.

Even so, the rates still fall below or match what other ambulance services charge, according to information gathered by Palestine Regional EMS director John McMeans.

According to McMeans’ information, East Texas Medical Center in Tyler charges $675 base rate for a BLS non-emergency room call and $800 base for an ALS 2 emergency room transport. In Temple, Scott & White EMS charges $650 and $850 for those types of transport.

The need for higher rates stems from soaring fuel, labor, maintenance and equipment costs, he said.

Necessary increases in salaries and benefits had increased by 24 percent over the past two years alone in order to retain employees, McMeans said, and fuel costs have risen from an average of $1.36 a gallon in 2001 to $3.89 a gallon this week.

He also listed the various community and school events that the Palestine Regional EMS staffs with paramedics or ambulances, such as high school and youth football games and track meets, community festivals and career days at local schools, as well as putting on the “Every 15 Minutes” program to warn high schoolers against drinking and driving.

“We’re an active part of this community,” McMeans said. “We do it without asking for reimbursement. We live here and work here. It’s more than a job — we’re taking care of our neighbors.”

Palestine Regional EMS is currently in the twelth year of a 20-year franchise agreement with the City of Palestine to provide exclusive ambulance transport service inside the city limits. Palestine Regional EMS also serves the rest of Anderson County as well as the northeast portion of Leon County.

Under terms of the franchise agreement, the city council must approve rate increases.

Also Monday, the council:

• HEARD the Mayor’s Report;

• HEARD the City Manager’s Report;

• OPENED BIDS for the demolition of substandard structures, water treatment plant force main, senior center services and the Capgemini Texas Capital Fund Project-Gillespie Road Improvements;

• APPROVED the Consent Agenda, which included the award of bids for gasoline and diesel fuel, award of bids for Town Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Headworks and RAS Pumps Improvement Project and minutes of the worksession and regular meeting of April 28;

• HEARD the first reading of a resolution for Facade Improvement Grants;

• HEARD the first reading of a resolution for the Cartmell Home project;

• HEARD the first reading of a resolution for J3 Real Estate Infrastructure Grant;

• HEARD the first reading of a resolution for a revolving loan for Prestige Ventures LLC;

• APPROVED an agreement to participate in the cost of construction of public improvements with Jon C. Gregg, Gregg LP Addition;

• APPROVED a proposal for professional services for the design of the offsite sanitary sewer to serve the Gregg LP Addition.

• APPROVED accepting a quote to extend sanitary sewer to serve Outlot 3 of the Walton Subdivision.

• APPROVED a resolution declaring support for the Texas Main Street Program Preserve America Grant Application.

• APPROVED an ordinance approving budget amendments for Fiscal Year 2007-08, including a CLG Grant, engineering office supplies and gasoline and development services postage.

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Beth Foley may be contacted via e-mail at bfoley@palestineherald.com