Why Can't Rich Ambulance Go To Nearest Hospital In Idaho?

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times 

RANDOLPH, Utah. November 6, 2013. Bob and Jane Betley experienced having to transfer a sick individual from the Rich County Ambulance to a Bear Lake Ambulance.  Their sister-in-law became sick while at a restaurant in Garden City.  It appeared to be a heart attack, and the ambulance was called.  The Betleys wanted the patient to be taken to Montpelier because the drive through Logan Canyon in the summer on a weekend is long and slow; and the sooner a person with heart problems is given help, the better is their chances of surviving. They were surprised, upset, astounded, and concerned to find that the ambulance took the patient to the Idaho line and waited there for the Idaho ambulance to arrive.   It was an 18 minute delay. The patient was then transferred to the Idaho ambulance, and the trip to Montpelier continued.  

 The reason they came to the County was to get this practice changed.  They know that everywhere else in the county, emergency vehicles are allowed to carry out their mission across state and county lines.  They asked the Commissioners to tell their ambulance drivers and other emergency workers to cross the line and get the job done in a timely manner.  They felt that people may die as a result of how things are currently being done. 

The Commissioners told them that they had tried to get this practice changed for over ten years.  They have tried several times, but Idaho refuses to change their governmental immunity limits.  The Commissioners have submitted a bill to the Idaho Legislature three different times with no results.  They have worked with the Idaho Governors, the legislators on that side of the line, as well as getting Utah legislators to attempt to make a change in this problem.  Nothing has happened.  Because of an incident over ten years ago, the County was sued and the award was almost two million dollars.  The Commissioners noted that the entire County budget is a little more than that amount.  There is no way an emergency vehicle and/or workers can go across the line. 

The Commissioners requested that the Betleys approach the Idaho Governor, the Idaho legislature, and any other people that may help to get the job done.  Utah hasn’t been able to accomplish this.  Any change will have to come from the Idaho side.  They wished the Betleys well and told them they certainly hoped they could get the law changed.