Perham EMS Responds to Criticism, Citing Increased Demand and Funding Shortfalls
PERHAM, MN – The Perham Area EMS has issued a detailed response to recent public criticisms, shedding light on the financial pressures and operational challenges facing the vital service. The statement, penned by a long-time paramedic and operations manager, directly addresses concerns raised by a local resident, Mr. Sweere, regarding the EMS’s financial stability, transparency, and the proposed taxing district. The paramedic, who has served the community since 1994, emphasizes the dramatic increase in call volume over the past decades, coupled with escalating equipment costs and stagnant reimbursement rates, as the primary drivers of the EMS’s financial strain.
The spokesperson highlights a staggering threefold increase in annual calls, from approximately 500 in 1994 to around 1,600 today. This surge in demand, they argue, necessitated a transition from a primarily volunteer workforce to a full-time staff model. Local businesses, they explain, simply could not sustain the constant employee absences required to meet the increased call volume under a volunteer system. Furthermore, the cost of essential life-saving equipment has ballooned significantly, placing an additional burden on the EMS budget. Ambulances, for example, have seen their price tags more than double, from $130,000 in 1997 to upwards of $325,000 today. Similarly, the cost of cardiac monitors has nearly doubled in recent years.
The paramedic contends that the EMS is not suffering from mismanagement, as suggested by the criticism, but rather from chronically inadequate reimbursement rates from Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance companies. These payers, they explain, cover only a fraction of the actual costs incurred by the EMS, leaving a significant funding gap. Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements hover around 21-25% of charges, while private insurance often covers only 37%. This chronic underfunding, the paramedic argues, necessitates exploring alternative funding mechanisms, such as the proposed taxing district, to ensure the long-term viability of the service.
Addressing concerns about transparency, the EMS spokesperson assures the public that the Joint Powers Board, which oversees the ambulance service, receives comprehensive financial reports twice a year and approves all major expenditures. An independent audit is also conducted annually to ensure accountability. The paramedic expresses confidence that the director will address any additional transparency requests from the public or board members. They also assert that the discussion surrounding the taxing district is not being "fast-tracked," as claimed, but is rather the culmination of years of deliberation, dating back to proposals made by a former director in the late 1990s or early 2000s.
The paramedic challenges the notion that the city of Perham is unfairly burdening the EMS system due to its higher call volume. On the contrary, they argue, the increased calls from within Perham generate more revenue for the service, offsetting some of the financial strain. They emphasize that the city’s contribution is proportionate to its usage and is essential for maintaining the overall financial health of the EMS. They also address the issue of townships exiting the Joint Powers Board, acknowledging their legal right to do so, but urging elected officials to heed the will of their constituents, who overwhelmingly support the ambulance service.
The statement concludes with a plea for public understanding and support, emphasizing that the challenges facing the Perham Area EMS are not unique but are reflective of a national crisis affecting rural EMS services across the country. The paramedic stresses that access to a well-equipped and adequately funded EMS is as crucial as other essential services, such as fire protection, law enforcement, and road maintenance. Maintaining a robust EMS system, they argue, is not simply a matter of budgetary concerns, but a fundamental matter of public safety, ensuring timely and effective emergency medical care for all members of the community. The future of the Perham Area EMS, and the safety of its residents, hinges on addressing these challenges collaboratively and securing sustainable funding solutions.