05/27/1980 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mrs. Bach stated she is against the rate increase and wants to know whether, as was promised, there will be a substation built in Santa ~ Clara if the increase is granted. .., Michael Anderson, 3659 West 18th, No.2, a former employee of MSI and a paramedic, distributed materials to the councilors. He worked for MSI for nearly two years. He feels the 30-percent rate increase is unjustified and that rates are too high in proportion to the services rendered. The question is the value for the dollars spent. Citizens for Public Ambulance Control have been circulating petitions for four weeks and have collected 2,126 signatures. He distributed copies of the petitions to the councilors. The petition reads, "We, the undersigned, support our paramedics and bel ieve they work hard to bring us quality emergency care, however, the company they work for--Medical Services, Inc., is a high-cost, private enterprise in business for the purpose of earning a profit. The cost is already too high in relation to the service provided. We hereby petition: 1. That Medical Services, Inc. not be granted an increase in rates. 2. That alternative forms of ambulance service be investigated, such as a non-profit organization or other form of publicly controlled service. 3. That Medical Services operator's license not be renewed July 1, 1980, if the investigation so warrants." Mr. Anderson distributed packets to the councilors for them to read. e Mr. Anderson stated he has a copy of the letter from Mr. Leonard to Mr. Henry received April 28 which asked for a rate increase effective May 1. The council asked for a public hearing on this item at that time. Mr. Anderson said the letter is 15 pages long with pages and pages of unexplained charges. He stated the paramedics would not be able to explain the rate charges because it is MSI's policy that the paramedics not know what the rates are. He stated MSI's rationale is that if the paramedics know what the rates for certain services are, then they will chnnse to use or not use them because of cost. In the case of cardiac arrest, if the Fire Department is called and they are doing CPR and the paramedics arrive to advance life support, there is a charge for the CPR ($66), which is billed by MSI even if it is done by the Fire Department. He stated he has a copy of the policy from MSI that they will bill for CPR even if their paramedics do not administer it. When fire departments use supplies, MSI replaces those supplies to the Fire Department and then bills the customer at MSI 's rates. Mr. Anderson stated that in the packet given to the councilors, there is a breakdown as to what it would cost if one of them broke a leg in the Council Chamber and was transported to Sacred Heart for treat- ment. The charges would be as follows: e 5/27/80--4