To: Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Williams
Meeting Date: January 21, 2020
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Department Contact: |
Ted Williams |
Phone: |
463-4441 |
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Item Type: Regular Agenda |
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Time Allocated for Item: 15 Minutes |
Agenda Title:
title
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Formal Request for a Subsidy Price Estimate from Mendocino Coast Healthcare District (MCHD), Transferable to Adventist Health, for One Advanced Life Support (ALS) Ambulance To Be Used Primary for the 101 Corridor in Collaboration with Coastal Valleys EMS Agency, for 911 Responses and Inter-Facility Transfers, as Appropriate
(Sponsor: Supervisor Williams)
End
Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Direct Executive Office to formally request a subsidy price estimate from Mendocino Coast Healthcare District (MCHD), transferable to Adventist Health to the extent it assumes MCHD ambulance operation, for one Advanced Life Support ambulance, staffed full-time, positioned primarily for response to the 101 corridor, location to be determined dynamically by Howard Forest dispatch in collaboration with Coastal Valleys EMS Agency, for 911 response and inter-facility transfers as appropriate.
End
Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:
None.
Summary of Request:
Ambulance coverage is dangerously low, subjecting residents to pain, death and preventable bodily damage. Private ambulance companies struggle to operate with stability and at adequate staffing levels, in great part because of inadequate reimbursement rates from insurance, including government sponsored programs. One additional Advanced Life Support ambulance, positioned based on greatest need, will progress us towards greater coverage while proving a model for future extension. Mendocino Coast Healthcare District operates a public ambulance with a track record of stability, employee satisfaction, safety and patient approval. MCHD owns adequate ambulance apparatus and can use a pool of resources for staffing a pilot program. On the coast, the service operates at slightly better than break even.
Projecting exact profit or loss in a new area will not be feasible, because financials depend greatly on unknowns including patient volume, insurance mix, transport distances and participation by other minimally regulated providers. By using County General fund to cover potential losses for Emergency Medical Services, a statutory responsibility of the county, we’ll enable a pilot program which has potential to improve ambulance stability county-wide.
Alternative Action/Motion:
No Action
Supervisorial District: All
vote requirement: Majority
Supplemental Information Available Online At: N/A
Fiscal Details:
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source of funding: General Fund |
budgeted in current f/y: No |
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current f/y cost: To be determined |
if no, please describe: this request would be at the direction of the Board |
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annual recurring cost: To be determined |
revenue agreement: No |
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budget clarification: At this time no funding has been identified for the executive office to perform the request and resulting operational follow through.
Agreement/Resolution/Ordinance Approved by County Counsel: N/A
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CEO Liaison: Janelle Rau, Deputy CEO |
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CEO Review: Yes |
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CEO Comments:
FOR COB USE ONLY
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Executed By: Karla Van Hagen, Senior Deputy Clerk |
Final Status:Approved with Direction |
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Date: January 24, 2020 |
Coastal Valleys EMS to perform fiscal analysis of current system and potential enhancements. |
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