1. Seven town hall meetings that included question and answer periods gave the hospital panel important insight. Some frequent questions were:
2. Some felt ballot language was too broad or ambiguous. Because of our hospital’s situation as a county political subdivision, we could not ask for a tax called an "ambulance tax". The only option available for our hospital to ask for help for the ambulance service is a tax called a "Hospital Tax". The law sets the language for this tax. It was not possible to change that language, but to add the words "including funding the hospital's ambulance service."
How would the funding be used? Would it be controlled by the county commissioners? No. How would citizens know it was used for the ambulance department? The simple answer is Bates County will continue to have 911 ambulance services. But in addition,
-Our hospital’s audited financials are prepared following GASB (Governmental Accounting Standards Board).
-These audited financials are submitted to the State Auditor’s Office each year and are public record.
-Included in an internal report to our elected board of directors are the following:
The anticipated tax revenue for the upcoming year reflected in the Budget;
The estimated cost of providing the Ambulance Service;
Any requested capital purchases for the upcoming year related to the Ambulance Department;
Estimated Subsidy in providing Ambulance services for Bates County
The estimated shortfall or excess for the upcoming year
The plan for the utilization of any excess funding
Our hospital is asking for financial help to maintain ambulance services because the ambulance department makes up a large portion of the hospital’s operating losses. Rising costs, higher wages due to a competitive job market and low reimbursement rates are just a few of the reasons. But the main reason is that running 911 ambulance services do not make money, which is why ambulance services are typically funded by a community through taxes. This is the case for most of the state of Missouri as well as the nation.
Since 1973, BCMH has subsidized ambulance services for our community, but by 2027, our ambulance department is projected to lose as much as $1.2 million a year. Our hospital cannot continue to sustain such losses.
Read more, including a complete set of frequently asked questions and answers by visiting https://www.bcmhospital.com/tax/ or find recordings of Town Halls on the BCMH Facebook page @BatesCountyMemorial Hospital. Citizens may ask a question by calling 660-200-7046 and leave a message and daytime phone number, or email info@bcmhospital.com. Our leadership wants to answer your questions, and we thank all who have taken the time to become informed.
