UP Gazette

State Representatives Jaime Greene and David Prestin have urged the Michigan Legislature to reimburse local EMS agencies for emergency services provided to state prisons. This request comes in light of unpaid bills resulting from Wellpath's failure to compensate these agencies during its contract with the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) in 2023 and 2024.

Greene and Prestin addressed their concerns in letters to House Appropriations Chair Angela Witwer and Rep. Amos O’Neal, chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Corrections. They emphasized the financial strain placed on EMS providers due to unpaid claims by Wellpath, which had a contract with MDOC until April 2024.

"Our EMS providers put their lives on the line to ensure every patient receives care, even those within our correctional system. The least we can do is guarantee that these heroes are compensated for their service," stated Greene, R-Richmond. She highlighted the lack of oversight as a contributing factor to the financial difficulties faced by EMS agencies.

The Michigan Association of Ambulance Services estimates over $6 million is owed across the state, affecting providers such as Richmond Lenox EMS in Greene’s district and other agencies in the Upper Peninsula. Wellpath recently informed these agencies it could not fulfill payment obligations due to alleged misunderstandings about its responsibilities.

Prestin, R-Cedar River, noted, "Ambulance services that serve our prisons are usually small rural services... when a large company with state contracts doesn’t pay its bills, the ambulance services are severely impacted." He stressed that communities relying on these essential services bear an unfair financial burden due to Wellpath's actions.

In their correspondence with Witwer and O’Neal, Greene and Prestin called for immediate legislative funding for EMS reimbursements. They also urged MDOC to proceed with legal action against Wellpath to recover funds meant for subcontractors.