I know this has nothing to do with livestock, but it does have to do with rural Oklahoma. EMS systems across the state are in a world of hurt. The medicare/medicaid reimbursement cutbacks along with private insurances are hurting the rural EMS systems. In the State of Oklahoma, there have been over 50 EMS services go out of business in the last 5 years! 50 is a very large number! I just learned today that Oklahoma Farm Bureau is lobbying AGAINST a legislative bill that will help EMS agencies across the state. Here is the statement on the Oklahoma Farm Bureau website:
"HJR 1014, currently in conference committee, attempts to remove the current 3 mills cap for district ambulance services. Oklahoma Farm Bureau opposes attempts to raise property taxes in Oklahoma."
I am a paramedic in rural Oklahoma. I have grown up on a farm all my life. I raise show pigs and show cattle. My parents are farmers and Farm Bureau members and this is one thing they would not mind paying more for. Although my county is not a 522 district, I know of many other property owners in other counties that have the 522 districts and they agree. There are 43 522 districts in Oklahoma listed on the Oklahoma State Department of Health EMS Division website and most of them are already at the 3 mill level (and they are STILL hurting). Several of these services are in extreme rural Oklahoma. If Oklahoma Farm Bureau members knew how bad the rural EMS systems are hurting, they would agree with me. Do the research; the Oklahoma Farm Bureau needs to be supporting this so we will not risk loosing ambulance coverage. What happens when you or your loved one is having a massive heart attack and your ambulance service went out of business? What happens when you are working cattle and the cow runs into the gate you are holding, knocking you unconscious? Will you know what to do during what seems like an eternity for the nearest EMS service to arrive, which may be 30 miles away? Come on guys, you don't want to lose your ambulance. Call your local representative and the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. Support this bill or we will be adding more services to the 50 already gone.
