Ambulance Services in Kane County, Utah, Halted Due to Certification Issues
Kanab, Utah – For over four decades, the Kane County Hospital has been the go-to responder for 911 calls in Fredonia and surrounding areas in Northern Arizona. However, this week, that support abruptly ceased.
The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) has turned down applications for the necessary Certificate of Necessity (CON) that ambulance providers need to operate in Arizona. Without this certificate, any cross-border emergency medical services in Kane County are considered illegal, effectively cutting off these rural communities from the only consistent medical service available for years.
Additionally, the Page fire department has followed suit, raising concerns about Kane County ambulances transporting patients in what they claim is a fraudulent manner. A complaint alleges that these transfers violate Arizona laws, despite the fact that the ambulances have been serving the area legally for decades.
“It’s literally a matter of life and death,” expressed Rocky Russell, a longtime Fredonia resident. “Where else can I get transport to the hospital?”
The nearest ambulance service is in Colorado City, which is over 30 miles away from Fredonia, making response times potentially exceed an hour in urgent situations for many residents.
Kurt Loveless, CEO of Kane County Hospital, noted that they’ve been navigating the Arizona application process for more than three years, often revising and resubmitting their case.
“We’ve lost track of how many times we’ve resubmitted this application,” Loveless remarked.
He added that they sought the CON not only to comply with legal standards but also to secure reimbursement from an Arizona insurance provider. Without this certification, local insurance companies won’t cover transportation costs, forcing hospitals to bear those expenses or bill patients directly—a strategy that Loveless sees as unsustainable.
“Your DPS and sheriff’s department are reaching out to us for support,” he mentioned. “We thought we were operating under emergency mutual aid. I hope to keep providing that.”
Loveless indicated that Noreen Adlin, the Deputy Director of ADHS, has overseen this application process from the beginning and responded with an acknowledgment when asked about the implications of potentially losing urgent medical service in Fredonia.
Residents believe this is more than just a regulatory issue; it’s a matter of safety. Russell’s wife, who chose not to disclose her name, voiced her frustration, stating that the Kane County Ambulance service has been crucial in saving lives, including her husband’s.
“The hospital is attempting to continue offering this service as a humanitarian effort,” Russell said. “The town has even offered financial support. However, it feels like someone’s playing power games while lives are on the line, and they really need to address this.”
KUTV reached out to Noreen Adlin and the Arizona Department of Health Services to inquire about the reasoning behind the application’s denial, the existing alternatives, and whether the area is adequately covered. As it stands, there has been no response from ADHS.
Kane County officials express readiness to restart services as soon as they receive the green light from Arizona. Until then, actions in Arizona may be deemed “willful and intentional,” posing risks of legal repercussions for emergency responders.
