The Dr. John Warner Hospital's announcement to end it's ambulance service is certainly going to bring a lot of changes for some DeWitt County residents.

However, Logan County just over a decade ago went through a situation very similar to this. While it was not exactly identical, DeWitt County may be able to take a lesson from how things were handled in Logan County. Steve Siltman is the CEO of the Logan County Paramedics Association, a non-for profit entity in the county that provides ambulance services to the residents of Logan County. Much like the DJWH, Siltman says the Lincoln Hospital for some time had some problems maintaining a balanced budget because of their ambulance services.

[audio:logancountyhospital1.mp3]A Word From Siltman[/audio]

One difference between DeWitt County's situation versus the Logan County situation is Logan County had a tax levy already in place. Siltman notes the levy money was given to the hospital to disperse to the ambulance funds. Many local leaders are currently working to find ways to get ambulance service to the western portion of DeWitt County. Siltman says while there is a small risk involved in starting up a non-for profit ambulance service, reimbursement factors are better for them.

[audio:logancountyhospital2.mp3]A Word From Siltman[/audio]

One advantage Siltman feels DeWitt County has right now is they have over a year to put this together. He says in Logan County at the time they only had six months to get everything together to present to the Logan County Board. Siltman recognizes DeWitt County has yet to put a tax levy in place for the ambulance service, he encourages residents to approve a tax levy to allow them the opportunity at a high quality ambulance service.

[audio:logancountyhospital3.mp3]A Word From Siltman[/audio]

As mentioned, several local officials, including Clinton Mayor Carolyn Peters have been hard at work seeking alternatives to keep a high level ambulance service in Clinton and western DeWitt County. Several of those officials feel having a county tax levy and creating a non-profit organization would be the best option for the residents of the county.