While all eyes are on the bitter battle for medical control in Sullivan County between Catskill Regional Medical Center and Crystal Run Medical Group, there has been another nasty battle going on, this one concerning the Liberty Volunteer Ambulance and our local hospital.

Catskill Regional made a decision that when Town of Liberty patients are released from the facility and require ambulatory care to return home they use Mobile Medic and not Liberty Volunteer Ambulance, even though Liberty brought them there.

The issue became so hot, that Liberty Volunteer Ambulance, which has been around since 1969, sued Catskill Regional over the matter.

A court battle with various rulings and appeals, ended recently when the New York State Court of Appeals said the hospital has a right to choose any ambulatory service they want to release patients with.

Liberty Volunteer Ambulance is rightfully outraged over this, and feels that there is an attempt by the hospital and others to put them out of business. The Liberty Volunteer Ambulance Corps consists of over 45 dedicated volunteers and is a highly respected and regarded service. Members are trained in all aspects of Emergency Services. Their paramedics and Advance Life Support team is one of the finest in the state, and is staffed around the clock.

So, why would Catskill Regional Medical have their patients leave the hospital with a for profit ambulance service as opposed to a not for profit certified volunteer organization?

It all boils down to contracts and financial gains.

Let me stress, this does not mean that the quality of care is different.

Barry Cooperstein, one of the more vocal members of the Liberty Volunteer Ambulance, blasted the hospital. “We did nothing wrong except care for and service our people. They (the hospital) are more concerned about business arrangements, and not patient care or their finances,” he angrily charged.

When a person uses the services of Liberty Volunteer Ambulance, they send their insurance company a bill and accept whatever they reimburse them for as payment. If there is no insurance there is no compensation.

On the other hand, companies like Mobile Medic have a right to bill and collect from patients the costs insurance companies did not pay for. This ultimately can amount to huge sums of monies, and a person without insurance is still responsible for the bill.

Whether Catskill Regional has a business contract with Mobile Medic or not, it is the patients who request the services of Liberty Volunteer Ambulance and not receiving it that are potentially being hurt here with extra financial burdens.

Liberty brings patients to the hospital requiring medical attention, but it is impossible for them to take patients home. Art Brien recently told me that a patient has the right to leave with Liberty Volunteer Ambulance if they so desire. But, excuses are often found as to why Liberty cannot be called.

Many volunteer ambulance services have been dismantled throughout our county for various reasons. The Liberty Volunteer Ambulance is fearful that profitable giants are attempting to put them out of business by taking away their calls from the hospital, and other emergencies.

If something happens to the Liberty Volunteer Ambulance Corps it would be a tragic and devastating blow to Sullivan County.

When I spoke with Brien we discussed all the bad publicity the hospital was receiving from Crystal Run. The last thing the hospital needs is more problems especially from a respected organization such as Liberty Volunteer Ambulance.

It is still not too late for both sides to sit down and work out an amicable agreement. Liberty Volunteer Ambulance has said they will be willing to meet with the hospital at anytime. Catskill Regional Medical should come to the table.

Liberty Volunteer Ambulance has saved many lives in Sullivan County. Their Paramedic and Advanced Life Support teams are highly regarded. They rightfully should be allowed to take patients home from their stay in the hospital.

The war between Catskill Regional Medical Center and Liberty Volunteer Ambulance must end.

Email Bill