The Columbus Dispatch (Ohio)
Copyright 2006 The Columbus Dispatch
All Rights Reserved
HEATH, Ohio — The City Council cleared the way for Mayor Dan Dupps to negotiate a contract with a Newark company to bill residents for emergency medical service runs.
The 6-1 vote Monday gives Dupps the authority to work out details of a two-year deal with MedBill Resources.
Councilman Tim Kelley voted against the ordinance, saying he preferred that the council retain control over the process.
“The reason I voted no is that it’s pretty much out of our hands now,” Kelley said. “I wanted council to have the final say, not the mayor.”
Dupps said he would consider the council’s recommendations on the subject but favors billing everyone regardless of whether they have insurance or not. Another option would be to bill only those residents with Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance. Dupps said the EMS billing system could begin in October, if the council agrees.
The mayor estimates the program could bring in between $170,000 and $250,000 a year to help the city’s safety forces and shore up finances. The city faces an $82,000 general fund deficit this year, he said.
Newark Mayor Bruce Bain also is considering an EMS proposal, and Hebron officials have begun discussions on the subject.