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BOOK . 96 Fnr;E 1.33 <br />The Chairman opened the public hearing and asked if anyone <br />wished to be heard in this matter. <br />Carol Bepler, an owner and operator of Able Transport out of <br />Sebastian, was concerned that the wording in the proposed ordinance <br />did not specify that only Medicaid patients would be coordinated by <br />the CTC. <br />Commissioner Eggert assured her that it would only be the <br />services paid for by Medicaid that would be controlled by the new <br />ordinance. <br />Vince McCann, Director of Veterans Services and representative <br />of the Veterans Council, needed clarification on transportation - <br />provided by the Veterans Services. <br />Commissioner Eggert felt it would not cause them any problem. <br />Commissioner Bird asked what process the veterans were having <br />to go through now, and Mr. McCann advised that their services were <br />free, they merely had to keep track of the services provided for <br />transportation disadvantaged funding that they receive. <br />Discussion followed and Mr. Fritz clarified that the Veterans <br />Services were under contract for the last three years and their <br />services would not change. <br />Mr. Fritz answered several questions concerning the <br />transportation services provided by the Veterans Services. <br />County Attorney Vitunac indicated that Veterans Services would <br />need to apply for a Certificate of Need. There was some discussion <br />about possible waiver of the fee for the Certificate but no <br />definitive recommendation. <br />Rick Lane, a volunteer with the Indian River County Volunteer <br />Ambulance Squad, expressed their support for the proposed <br />ordinance, as amended. He also felt they would be able to assist <br />the Veterans Services with the fee, if necessary. <br />Gary Burdsall, president of Able Aviation, Able Ambulance, and <br />Able Health Services, admitted prior ignorance of the regulations. <br />He stated that he has recently been educated by Mr. Fritz, and Able <br />has stopped transporting Medicaid patients in Indian River County. <br />Mr. Burdsall commended EMS Director Doug Wright and staff for <br />an excellent job in putting the four class certificates together <br />and proposing a fifth class, Class E. The model ordinances for <br />Indian River County are so well done that they are being looked at <br />for use in St. Lucie County to possibly alleviate some confusion <br />there. <br />38 - <br />September 19, 1995 <br />