Oolagah-Talala Voters Asked To Support Emergency Services

State leaders say emergency services in parts of rural Oklahoma are in critical condition.  Dozens of rural ambulance companies have closed over the past few years.  Some worry the same thing could happen to another service if voters don't approve a tax increase on the ballot soon.  News On 6 anchor Craig Day reports the issue will be before voters in Oologah and Talala.

Like many small EMS districts, Oologah-Talala is trying to provide the best service it can with the budget it has.  With rising costs, it is becoming more difficult.  So, the district is calling for a bond issue to raise more operating revenue.

"We have two choices.  We either increase revenue, we increase subsidies or we decrease the budget," said operations director Andy Hudson.

The bond issue would add a million dollars over 12 years, averaging about $1 more a month in property tax for homeowners with a $100,000 home.

The district's director says it's that or they'll have to cut ambulances or personnel.

"It's going to impact response time. It will set us back basically to day one," said operations director Andy Hudson.

It is an issue that is much larger than just one EMS district.  Many rural ambulance services statewide are in the same dire situation.  In fact, 60 ambulance services have closed statewide since 2000.

The problem stems from rising equipment and fuel costs and dramatically reduced Medicare reimbursements.

"We can't count on Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance anymore to foot the bill," said operations director Andy Hudson.

The state says 13 towns that previously had ambulance service, are now no longer covered.

"Most of the people who lived in those communities that were served by those agencies didn't know it was coming until it was too late," said operations director Andy Hudson.

The Oologah-Talala District doesn't want that to happen to them.  They say the long term answer is legislation.  The short term answer is the bond issue before voters.

The special election is set for Tuesday, August 26th.