Jackson County opens ambulance contract for bids
PASCAGOULA, Miss. (AP) – The Jackson County Board of Supervisors has decided to invite competition in to provide ambulance service in the county.
Media outlets report that Acadian Ambulance has been the only company under contract with the county since 1999. On Monday, however, supervisors voted 3-2 to accept proposals from other ambulance services.
Last year, the county spent $180,000 to subsidize the ambulance service. However, Acadian Ambulance dropped its subsidy requirement earlier this year.
Supervisor Ken Taylor says he became interested in opening up the bidding process when he saw what he calls conflicts of interest between Acadian Ambulance and members of the EMS Advisory Board that recommends ambulance services to the county. That board voted to keep Acadian and renegotiate.
American Medical Response says it plans to make a pitch for Jackson County’s work.
