NEWS
GILBERT SUN NEWS | JUNE 19, 2022
AMBULANCE from page 8
fees,” he added. “So, overall right now we’re $50 cheaper than any other provider in the area.” With Council choosing to go with the lower fee increase, “we will be just under $132 cheaper for transporting our citizens than anybody in the region,” Badgett said, noting that when staff advocated for an in-house ambulance service, it promised to look at rates based on residents’ needs and not a more global look at what everybody else can possible charge. “Based on our payer mix, we are very fortunate to live in a great community,” he said. “Our reimbursement rates are higher than we anticipated. Our call volume is higher than we anticipated and we don’t need to charge what the others are charging.” The town’s payer mix includes roughly 7% uninsured, mid-20% for private insurance, mid-20% for Medicaid, insurance for low income, and mid-40% for Medicare, according to Badgett, who noted that the increase will primarily affect private insurance patients as Medicare and Medicaid have fixed reimbursement rates. Badgett said the ambulance revenue first and foremost will fund the minimal fund balance, which is three months of ongoing operating expenses. Any excess revenue will allow the department to more quickly pay off the
initial $3 million General Fund loan for start-up costs. “We will be making that payment on the General Fund loan now and ongoing,” Badgett said. “It’ll just allow us to accelerate those (payments) approximately two to three years sooner.” Once the loan is paid off, council could in the future decide no more increases are needed and could even potentially lower fees, according to Badgett. Councilwoman Yung Koprowski pointed out that the service fees are paid by users and not subsidized by taxpayers. Councilman Laurin Hendrix, who voted in 2020 against the Town going into the ambulance service, voted no on the increase.
of the Stroms came together to help with the babies. “It’s a lot of hard work,” Nick said. “Being a parent really opens your eyes. Going from zero to four kids all at once was an intense experience.” After falling in love with Arizona, the Stroms decided to permanently move to Gilbert in July 2020. Now, the quadruplets are 5 years old and have recently graduated from preschool. Looking back on how they’ve survived the past five years, the Stroms credit their success with accepting help, implementing routines, doing sleep training, and giving their children timers to teach them
how to share. “You’re going to need help, so embrace the help people offer,” Alison would advise expecting parents of multiples. “Parenting is a humbling experience because you can’t do it all by yourself,” Nick added. “Don’t be too proud to not accept help. That help goes a long way.” Watching their kids develop their own personalities, become best friends and simply play together are Nick and Alison’s favorite parts about being parents. They can’t wait to see how their love for them grows and how their children will change over time. “It keeps getting better and better,” Alison said.
QUADS from page 8
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