HealthOne Paramedics Files Suit Against County Board

HealthOne Paramedics, whose president is a member of the Effingham County Board, is suing the Board over the County's ambulance ordinance.

[Alpha77]

This is one of the most silly things I have heard, why would a county board member sue the board in which he sits? Isn't that a little like suing yourself? I believe this guy could get himself impeached, and might even lead to getting his books checked by the county and state, he better have them in line!

Should he not step down before filing a suit?

I don't think he is suing for anything but his own bottom line.

I have heard rumors about this service, running with lights and sirens on empty to go to a hospital to pick up a patient already being well taken care of prior to transport. I have never heard of a transport service doing this before.

[ThinkAboutIt]

My husband works for Effingham City County Ambulance and I've read all the news about the Healthone owner trying to change this ordinance. Quite frankly I feel it is extremely stupid. The owner/ board member knew about the ordinance before opening the business in Effingham, therefore he should've known and gotten over the fact that 911 was strictly in the hands of Terry White and the Effingham City-County Ambulance Co. Why fight it now? Because you're not getting enough business or what? What kind of person doesn't have the since to take that into consideration before opening their business?

[Alpha77]

I think he actually found a loophole in the law which states they cannot dedicate a service as the sole agency, unless it is a county or municipal agency. And he is pointing out that the county is in violation. I see where you are going, it does seem silly, I would say with the lack of medicare and medicaid payments Healthone is hurting, not to mention that Effingham County might be busy enough for transfers and such, but not high volume like St. Louis would be.

[Joe]

Alpha77 wrote:

This is one of the most silly things I have heard, why would a county board member sue the board in which he sits? Isn't that a little like suing yourself? I believe this guy could get himself impeached, and might even lead to getting his books checked by the county and state, he better have them in line!
Should he not step down before filing a suit?
I don't think he is suing for anything but his own bottom line.
I have heard rumors about this service, running with lights and sirens on empty to go to a hospital to pick up a patient already being well taken care of prior to transport. I have never heard of a transport service doing this before.

The county board screwed up when they passed this ordinance. They are suppose to be representing what the taxpayers want, not what the county board members want. After all we pay their salary. I went around and ask people about this right after it was passed and 9 out of 10 people thought it was wrong to make a monopoly out of it. And don't believe that argument that Effingham county is not big enough to support two ambulance companies. Why else would Terry White keep an ambulance service in Marion county when there are already 2 other ones there and it is not as big as Effingham county. I hope Health One sues the county for the money for half of the ambulance calls during the last year and wins!

[Alpha77]

I doubt you can sue to get money back for an ordianance that is in place currently. If the people of Effingham Co want Healthone all they have to do is get the signatures to put it to the ballot and get it repealed, obviously they are happy enough with what service they are receiving.