In the realm of emergency response, the state of funding for organizations in Pennsylvania stands at a critical crossroads, demanding immediate attention and innovative solutions. The acute funding challenges faced by emergency medical service (EMS) providers, including our own VMSC, underscores the urgent need for collaborative efforts, particularly through local public/private partnerships, including strategic alliances with for-profit hospital systems.
Within the current climate of diminishing federal and state budget allocations, EMS providers in Pennsylvania grapple with limited resources, impeding their ability to deliver timely and effective emergency services. VMSC, and other EMS services, rely wholly on receiving payment for emergency services from insurance providers (if the person has insurance, direct payment if they don’t) for any call that results in a hospital delivery. Any other service is unpaid entirely and leaves a significant funding gap (around 14% for our VMSC) for EMS services to either fundraise for or to find other ways of making themselves whole. This stark shortage of substantial financial backing leaves many of them teetering on the edge, raising concerns about the sustainability of their operations.
Rightfully so, EMS service providers are looking to municipal governments to help cover the gap in service funding. As a community we have a vested interest in maintaining their service and ensuring that when help is needed, it is there. However, amid these financial strains, the concept of local public/private partnerships takes on renewed significance, especially when considering collaborations with for-profit hospital systems.
These partnerships hold the potential to not only bridge the funding gap but also create a dynamic synergy that mutually benefits all stakeholders. By joining forces with local government and emergency response organizations, for-profit hospital systems can play a pivotal role in bolstering emergency services, both financially and operationally.
What makes the alliance with for-profit hospital systems particularly compelling is their direct involvement in the success of EMS services. These systems receive patients directly from the field, forming an essential link in the emergency response chain. This symbiotic relationship is underpinned by financial incentives – the seamless and efficient operation of EMS translates into improved patient outcomes and smoother hospital workflows. As beneficiaries of this pipeline, for-profit hospital systems have a vested interest in ensuring the continued success and robustness of the EMS providers that feed into their operations.
While critics might raise concerns about potential conflicts of interest and resource imbalances, these partnerships can be structured with strong oversight mechanisms to maintain fairness and accountability. Transparent governance frameworks, clear delineation of roles, and comprehensive agreements can help mitigate these challenges, ensuring that the collaborations are rooted in shared objectives – enhancing public safety and the health of the community.
The integration of for-profit hospital systems into the local public/private partnerships is a strategic move that aligns incentives and capitalizes on a crucial synergy. Hospital systems bring not only financial contributions but also invaluable medical expertise, resources, and assets that can augment the capacity and capabilities of EMS providers. These alliances resonate with the concept of a community safety net, where stakeholders collaboratively shoulder the responsibility of safeguarding public wellbeing.
Drawing inspiration from successful instances of public/private partnerships across Pennsylvania and beyond, the potential for revitalizing the EMS funding landscape is evident. By strategically partnering with for-profit hospital systems, Pennsylvania can lay the groundwork for a sustainable and robust emergency response ecosystem that thrives on shared interests and collective responsibility.
We know this type of partnership is possible because Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) has recently announced that they are working with all local EMS providers to consolidate into a single service that allows for everyone to operate effectively and with the necessary funds.
To be clear, I am not advocating for privatization of these services. I am suggesting that due to the failure of the existing model, potential partnerships could be a win for everyone involved and could improve care in our area and region.
Without question, the funding challenges faced by emergency response organizations in Pennsylvania necessitate innovative solutions that transcend traditional funding avenues. Collaborations with for-profit hospital systems through local public/private partnerships offer a promising pathway toward ensuring the continued provision of top-tier emergency services. Through these partnerships, Pennsylvania can forge a future where the well-being of its residents remains uncompromised, and its emergency response capabilities stand resilient.
(Mayoral Musings is a weekly op-ed column submitted to
North Penn Now, courtesy of Lansdale Borough Mayor Garry Herbert. The views
expressed are his own and are not representative of North Penn Now or Lansdale
Borough.)
