Budget cuts, layoffs, and public criticism are all nightmares of nearly every public agency or department. In times of financial crisis and a near economic meltdown, public entities are getting desperate for an answer. The big question is, what happens when your government can’t afford to provide life saving services like EMS? The answer lies within the foundation of the American Dream. Private enterprise.

In a very large portion of the country, private business is already providing these life saving services at no cost to the tax payers. With so many cities and counties operating in the red, I’m left to wonder why more areas aren’t being serviced by private companies. By switching to a private or pay-per-service system, municipal governments can save a truck load of money. That is money that can be used to fund or improve critical services like law enforcement, roads or fire suppression.

There are certainly valid arguments, none of which are financial, that oppose such systems. Many people feel that emergency medical services is a responsibility of the government, and therefore should be operated by the government. Some more arguments against private EMS include:

• Stability

• Oversight

• Accountability

• Quality of care

I can certainly understand a fear that a private ambulance can “go under”, leaving an area with no coverage. However, during these tough times, there is hardly any stability with any branch of the government. Layoffs and budget cuts are forcing public agencies to decrease personnel and number of units available. The risk is equal on both sides of the fence. For every ambulance service that goes out of business or loses a contract, there are several financially sound companies waiting for opportunities to expand. If we trust privately run hospitals to service communities, then why can’t we trust private ambulance service?

The argument about oversight, accountability and quality of care with private ambulance services is weak. In reality, there is more government oversight when it comes to contracted services then there is when the city or county runs their own service. Private ambulance services have to follow strict guidelines in order to maintain a contract. With no contract, the company can’t operate, which translates to no business. Contracts call for response time compliance, number of units available, quality assurance programs and complaint resolution. When fire or third-service based systems are in place, all the governing boards typically care about is amount of money they spend. Which, by the way is usually over the top.

Private business has to earn their money and manage it. If they don’t generate enough revenue, then they can’t operate. Sound familiar? If you are a working person supporting a family then it probably does. Government agencies don’t have to worry about generating income. They just spend the money and ask for more when they run out. It sounds harsh but it’s true. Next time you get behind on your car payment or mortgage, try asking your boss for more money and tell me how it goes.

In conclusion, I feel that private business is just as capable if not more capable of providing efficient and quality emergency medical care. As always, I welcome all questions and comments. You can e-mail me at sean@medicmadness.com or simply comment below.

Have a great week.