Ambulance service to residents of Eagle River and the towns of Lincoln, Washington, and Cloverland was discussed with Ministry Health Care and municipal representatives with the current contract being extended for another year.
Ministry has been operating the ambulance service with a loss of quarter million dollars a year, billing that loss to the municipalities and tjhey expect another similar loss this year. Ministry vice president of patient care, Deb Karow, admitted there was a financial burden on the municipalities but also on Ministry. She told the group they are looking at moving toward a different model but will extend the current contract one more year. That new model may look at a county-wide system.
Municipal members expressed the need for desire for high paramedical service but to also reduce overall costs. They agreed to keep communications open.
