Oklahoma Senate Bill SB778

Oklahoma 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/23
• Refer: 2/7/23

Caption

Emergency medical services; mandating sole-provider system for ambulance service districts. Effective date.

Impact

If enacted, SB778 will centralize the management of ambulance services in Oklahoma by establishing a framework wherein each ambulance service district becomes a sole-provider system for the transport of patients. This change could streamline ambulance services by minimizing redundancies and enhancing operational efficiencies. The bill is expected to impact local regulations, potentially limiting municipal authorities in the way they administer ambulance services while prioritizing a more standardized operational structure across the state to enhance service delivery and accountability.

Summary

Senate Bill 778 aims to amend existing Oklahoma law regarding emergency medical services (EMS) by establishing a sole-provider system for ambulance service districts. This legislation modifies Section 1-2515 of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes, allowing EMS regions, ambulance service districts, or municipalities to regulate and control ambulance service transports in their jurisdiction. Under this bill, ambulance service districts are mandated to establish competitive bidding processes for selecting sole providers that are not public entities, ensuring transparency and potentially facilitating cost-effective solutions for ambulance services within specified jurisdictions.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SB778 may center on the balance between state governance and local control. Critics could argue that mandating a sole-provider system might diminish the autonomy of local governments to tailor their ambulance service regulations according to the unique needs of their communities. Furthermore, the competitive bidding requirement could provoke debate on whether such contracts adequately prioritize patient care and service quality over cost considerations, raising concerns about the implications that profit motives may have in emergency health services.