The Cabinet cited a Louisville based Pegasus Institute report released in July, which pointed to several larger Kentucky counties that have only one Class I ambulance provider that is not owned or operated by a public entity. The Cabinet said “private provider monopolies can result in lower quality care for patients and a restriction on the ability for patients to choose providers.”
Six counties in Kentucky, including McCracken County, have populations of more than 50,000 and only one Class I ambulance provider that is not owned or operated by a public entity. Bullitt, Jessamine, Laurel, Pike and Warren were also singled out. With the new emergency administrative regulation, new providers in these counties will have an expedited application process and the presumption of need.
Kentucky is among four states that require a certificate of need to operate an ambulance service. The report said Kentucky residents have access to fewer providers, on average, at every county population level across the state than neighboring states. Counties above 50,000 residents have more than 25 percent fewer providers, according to the report.
Click the link below to read the full report.
On the Net:
Pegasus Report
