(Fremont County, WY) — American Medical Response (AMR) released a statement on March 8th sharing they have opted not to submit a bid for the Fremont County ground ambulance services contract.
They informed the Fremont County Commissioners on December 22nd, 2020, that they would not be renewing under the current contract. However, they wanted “to engage in good-faith discussions to negotiate a more financially sustainable contract that will secure continued ground ambulance services for the community.”
AMR’s current contract with the county has been in place since 2016 and expires on June 30th, 2021. Over the last few weeks, the Fremont County Commissioners have been accepting requests for proposals (RFP) from ambulance companies for ground service based on an updated contract – AMR had initial plans to submit an RFP.
“AMR has provided service to the communities of Wyoming for more than 22 years,” said Matt Strauss, Regional Director for AMR parent company, Global Medical Response. “We remain committed to the residents of Fremont County and to our employees, but the proposed contract put forth by the county commissioners simply does not take into account evolving clinical care standards, decreases in reimbursement, and increasing operating costs. Our hope is that we can come to an agreement that meets the needs of the community while accounting for our fiscal responsibility.”
Their statement also said, “if the two parties are unable to reach a good faith agreement, AMR will provide transition and continuity of care as we approach the contract expiration.”
County 10 caught up with Fremont County Commission Chair Travis Becker to check in on the RFP submissions. On March 9th, the Commissioners decided to extend the submission deadline to April 15th, and Becker noted there are several entities that are interested.
“Regardless of what happens, the ambulance service is not going away,” he explained. “Interest is there and there will be an ambulance service, we just do not know who is going to run it.”
County 10 will keep you updated as this process continues.