"Province shortchanging us," say ambulance owners
Private ambulance operators in New Brunswick say they’re disappointed with the latest offer which would see their vehicles and equipment taken over by the province’s new unified ambulance service.
Medavie Blue Cross will operate Ambulance NB, and a deadline of Friday at 1 p.m. has been set to reach a deal to compensate private companies who now operate 55 of the province’s 125 ambulances.
Brian Van Tassel, president of the New Brunswick Ambulance Operators Association, says they were given an offer Monday night, but it does nothing to prevent them from having to continue carrying expensive liability insurance for the next three years.
Health Minister Mike Murphy says a fair offer has been made and he’s confident that a deal can be reached.
However, he says if talks fail, Ambulance NB is prepared to assume the lease on the ambulances and begin delivering the service anyway.
The Chronicle Herald
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