LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan’s embattled prison system, which is facing ongoing staffing shortages, is now being asked to pay a more than $6 million bill to EMS agencies throughout the state.
What happened?
The Michigan Association of Ambulance Services said the outstanding health care bill comes after Wellpath, the previous health care provider to Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC), failed to pay for services in 2023 and 2024. Wellpath’s contract for the state ended in April.
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Angela Madden, the executive director of the Michigan Association of Ambulance Services, said Wellpath has made it difficult for the EMS industry. In fact, the EMS community is facing hardships and staffing shortages of their own.
“Michigan EMS providers deliver essential healthcare services to all residents in need, including those in Michigan prisons.” She continued, “Wellpath’s actions have caused financial hardship for several Michigan EMS agencies, making it more difficult to pay for staffing and operations that are essential to our communities.”
What’s next?
In order to fill the bridge the gap, EMS agencies are asking state legislators to reimburse the impacted agencies through a supplemental budget bill. State Rep. Jaime Greene (R-Richmond) is one of those legislators who supports such a measure.
“This is absolutely outrageous,” said Greene. “Our EMS providers put their lives on the line every day to ensure that all patients, including those incarcerated in our prisons, receive the emergency care they need. Now, they’re being told they won’t be paid for the services they provided. It’s time for the Legislature to step in and right this wrong.”
Wellpath is laying blame at the feet of MDOC and is claiming it did not specify that Wellpath was responsible for paying emergency responders. There are at least 15 EMS providers across Michigan that are owed money for services. Richmond Lenox EMS is one of the agencies affected.
“Michigan EMS providers are asking the Legislature to reimburse us for our work so that it does not impact the care we provide to our local communities,” said Jeff White, chief of Richmond Lenox EMS. “At a time when EMS remains underfunded nationwide, this is a hit we simply cannot afford.”
Greene calls for an investigation.
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In addition, Greene is calling on the Michigan Attorney General’s Office and the Michigan Auditor General to investigate MDOC and Wellpath.
Michigan’s prison systems and its ongoing problems continue to be ignored by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. In July, the Michigan Corrections Organization (MCO) penned a letter to Whitmer and asked her to activate the National Guard to help with staffing shortages. Repeated pleas by the MCO have fallen on deaf ears in the Whitmer administration.
In addition, Rep. Green’s colleague, Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-Springport), has called for the resignation of MDOC director Heidi Washington.
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