Tulsa denies emergency agency’s request for rate increase

TULSA, Okla. (AP) – The Tulsa City Council has denied a request from the Emergency Medical Services Authority to raise its rates to help cover its defense in a federal kickbacks lawsuit.

The Tulsa World reports the council voted against the increased rates on Wednesday. In making their decision, councilors described having distrust in the agency’s management.

Councilors said there’s no guarantee that more funding would rescue the agency or the city from eventually having to pay more.

EMSA Board of Trustees Chairwoman Jan Slater says a rate increase was the final option the board and staff had to address legal costs. The denied request could force EMSA officials to go with a secondary plan to defer costs on planned capital expenses or negotiating slower response times.