Washington County panel to consider AMR ambulance rate increase after efficiency work and caution from commissioners

Washington County officials on Oct. 7 heard a presentation from county health staff and American Medical Response (AMR) on a proposed increase to 9-1-1 emergency medical transportation rates and on steps being taken to improve system efficiency.

The presentation described two timing options for a single rate increase and emphasized that efficiency gains are necessary for long-term financial sustainability. AMR asked the county to approve either a 27% increase effective Jan. 1, 2026, or a 30% increase effective July 1, 2026; presenters said the earlier, smaller increase would reduce the immediate percentage requested. County staff and AMR also outlined ongoing projects intended to reduce operating waste and offload delays at hospital emergency departments.

Why it matters: Ambulance rates affect county residents’ access to emergency medical transport, the finances of the contracted provider and the county’s EMS system resilience. Commissioners expressed support for placing the proposal on the Oct. 21 board agenda while stressing they expect measurable improvements from efficiency projects before considering further increases.

County health staff described Washington County’s EMS model as a fee-for-service system in which AMR receives…