Staffing Deficiencies Force Ambulance Service to Decline 115 Transfers
Clark County Board Meeting | Jan. 16, 2026
Article Summary: The Clark County Ambulance Service turned down approximately 115 interfacility transfer calls in December due to staffing shortages, according to a report from Director Chace Bramlett. The department is also grappling with ongoing Medicaid billing issues that are delaying fee collection.
Ambulance Report Key Points:
-
Missed Calls: Staffing deficiencies forced the refusal of approximately 115 interfacility transfer requests.
-
Billing Issues: The service is currently unable to collect Medicaid fees due to billing system issues.
-
Call Volume: Volume remains steady, with frequent simultaneous calls occurring in December and January.
-
Equipment: A remount ambulance is expected to arrive soon; a new chase vehicle may be needed.
Clark County Ambulance Service Director Chace Bramlett reported significant operational challenges regarding staffing and billing during the County Board meeting on January 16, 2026.
Bramlett informed the Board that call volume remains steady, but the department is struggling to meet demand for interfacility transfers. He stated he had to “turn down approximately 115 interfacility calls due to staffing deficiencies.”
The director also highlighted a trend of calls coming in simultaneously, a pattern observed in December that has continued into January.
Financially, the service faces hurdles with Medicaid billing. Bramlett reported that the department is “still having issues and not able to collect those fees at this time.”
Despite the challenges, Bramlett highlighted a recent success where a crew responded to a child suffering a seizure; he reported the child is doing fine. Regarding equipment, he noted that a remount ambulance is expected to arrive soon, though the department may possibly need to acquire a new chase vehicle in the near future.
Latest News Stories
Artemis II mission breaks records Monday as astronauts observe far side of the moon
Illinois quick hits: Illinois House speaker’s son to attend private school; AFSCME workers set strike date at Illinois State University; IDOT urges public to avoid distracted driving
Federal-state showdown looms over regulation of prediction markets
No-knock warrant legislation brings Chicago victim, Illinois gun group together
Trump promises ‘complete demolition’ in Iran as deadline looms
‘We leave no American behind’: President Trump details Easter rescue of downed airman
Michigan charges dentist in alleged ‘massive’ Medicaid fraud scheme
Illinois bill sparks debate over police privacy vs. public access
Signature process begins to ban large data centers in Ohio
U.S. Supreme Court agrees to hear veteran’s benefits challenge
Supreme Court declines to hear challenge to Illinois public transport gun ban
Illinois Quick Hits: Report says Pekin Bowling Center ‘taxed out of business’