Orange County leaders say they may not be able to pay Indiana University Health an almost 10 fold increase in charges for ambulance services.
Orange County Commissioner Don Brewer says officials from IU Health presented the commissioners with a new contract that would increase the annual payments the county makes to IU Health from $21,000 a year to $225,000. That's in addition to the ambulance the hospital uses, which the county replaces every four years.
Brewer says IU Health officials have been open about the costs of the service.
"We've seen their profit and loss statements for the year for their ambulance service and they are definitely losing money according to the figures they showed us," he says. "But I don't think it's right that the county should have to make up that difference."
Brewer says he doesn't think the county can afford the increased payments, and they may have to work with an outside company for ambulance services if they can't reach a deal with IU Health.
The Orange County Commissioners will discuss the issue at a meeting Wednesday.
IU Health did not respond to a request for comment.