Government does not like capitalism or private businesses. Santa Barbara lied and cheated to try to end private ambulance services. Ventura County government is trying to force unions, via the fire department, to run ambulance services. Now, San Bernardino is trying the same—and it took a court to stop this socialist effort.
“On Thursday, Superior Court Judge Jay H. Robinson granted AMR’s motion for a preliminary injunction, putting the transition process on hold while its legal challenge goes forward.
Robinson made the decision, he wrote, after “evaluating American Medical Response of Inland Empire’s (‘AMR’) likelihood of prevailing on the merits of its claims, the interim harms which AMR would suffer should the Court deny the injunction, the interim harms which County Defendants and CONFIRE would suffer should the Court grant the injunction; and after determining the injunction ultimately promotes the public interest in open and fair competitive bids.”
San Bernardino County won’t replace AMR ambulance service on Oct. 1 as planned
Superior Court judge grants AMR an injunction, putting process on hold
By Beau Yarbrough, San Bernardino Sun, 9/13/24 https://www.sbsun.com/2024/09/13/san-bernardino-county-wont-replace-amr-ambulance-service-on-oct-1-as-planned/
San Bernardino County residents will see American Medical Response ambulances on local streets for at least a few more weeks.
On Thursday, Sept. 12, a San Bernardino Superior Court judge put the county’s plan to switch to a new ambulance provider on hold while AMR’s legal challenge goes forward. The county had planned to switch providers on Oct. 1.
In December 2023, the county Board of Supervisors, acting in its role as Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency board members, voted unanimously to sign a five-year contract for ambulance service in much of the county with Consolidated Fire Agencies (CONFIRE), starting October 2024. CONFIRE is a joint operation of 15 fire departments.
AMR, the county’s long-time ambulance services provider, expressed surprise at the board’s decision and two months later it sued San Bernardino County in federal court. In its suit, AMR alleged the board’s decision violated state law in awarding the contract to CONFIRE, which scored fewer points in the county’s review and evaluation process, and in the process violated federal antitrust law.
On Thursday, Superior Court Judge Jay H. Robinson granted AMR’s motion for a preliminary injunction, putting the transition process on hold while its legal challenge goes forward.
Robinson made the decision, he wrote, after “evaluating American Medical Response of Inland Empire’s (‘AMR’) likelihood of prevailing on the merits of its claims, the interim harms which AMR would suffer should the Court deny the injunction, the interim harms which County Defendants and CONFIRE would suffer should the Court grant the injunction; and after determining the injunction ultimately promotes the public interest in open and fair competitive bids.”
All parties are next scheduled to meet on Oct. 8 to iron out details of how the case will proceed.
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On Friday, AMR applauded Robinson’s decision.
“This is a win for the people of San Bernardino,” Mike Rice, vice president of operations for AMR, is quoted as saying in a statement issued by the company. “Although the litigation will continue, this decision will ensure that San Bernardino County will continue to have access to the high-quality emergency care and medical transport services in the interim that it has depended on for over 40 years through AMR.”
ICEMA (and San Bernardino County) spokesperson David Wert wrote in an email Friday that “ICEMA and the ICEMA board will consider options while ensuring emergency medical services remain available without interruption.”
He declined to give a timeline for when CONFIRE might be taking over.
Dawn Rowe, chairperson of the Board of Supervisors and ICEMA governing board, wrote in a statement Friday that she “(anticipates) being briefed by counsel on the matter and developing a strategy for ensuring the best care is available to residents.”
Colorado-based American Medical Response provides ambulance service in 40 states and the District of Columbia. AMR has provided ambulance service to San Bernardino County for more than 40 years, initially doing business as Advanced Life Support.
Government does like capitalism! That is why they want to take over programs and entities where there is no competition so they can make a lot of money. They don’t want to compete, they just want to run. With themselves in charge, they can price the service anywhere they want. Read “Personal Opinions of One Common Man” available online from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Walmart!