Local ambulance provider MedStar has requested additional funding from the Fort Worth City Council as the agency attempts to determine potential future funding options.
The Metropolitan Area EMS Authority, known as MedStar, discussed funding needs with the council last week and requested $1.5 million per quarter for the next year, reported the Fort Worth Report.
Ken Simpson, MedStar CEO, confirmed the reports and said a third-party vendor would begin a study to determine potential options for future funding.
Although not approved yet, MedStar is paramount to Fort Worth medical care, and expectations are that the funding will be made available by the council.
“I want to emphasize that it would be transitional funding through the study period, which means that we would need to make sure that we’re in a sustainable position on the other side of that study,” said Simpson to board members, per FWR.
“The safety of our residents is of the utmost importance,” said District 3 Council Member Michael Crain, per FWR. “There will be a study to look at the long-term viability of the current model, but right now we need to make sure that when someone calls 911, there is ambulatory service available.”
The City of Fort Worth released a statement saying it will work with MedStar while “collaborating on issuing a request for proposals [RFP] to assist with developing long-term sustainable funding options for EMS delivery.”
City Manager David Cooke said in the statement that it is not surprising that MedStar needs financial support and that many EMS services also deal with these issues.
“The need for an evaluation is not something unique to the MedStar organization. Many EMS systems are struggling and have a strong need to analyze processes. This includes a better understanding of the appropriate level of response needed for patient-centric care,” said Cooke.
Council members did have questions about participation from other areas that rely on MedStar. District 8 Council Member Chris Nettles said Fort Worth residents would likely expect contributions from every municipality affected.
“How do I tell my taxpayers that we’re gonna fix MedStar’s issues, but no other municipalities’ taxpayers are going to fix them?” said Nettles, per FWR. “I don’t think Fort Worth is going to take a liking to using tax dollars to help other areas out, if they’re not using their tax dollars to help.”
Started in 1986, MedStar now provides ambulance and community paramedicine services to 15 different Tarrant County cities, spanning 436 square miles populated by over 1.1 million residents. The agency receives 185,000 calls for services each year.
