Commissioner walks out of EMS budget discussions

Pethel voiced dismay with a proposed increase in the budget for the county’s EMS medical director — from no charge in years past to $16,000 in 2011.

All EMS services are required by law to have a doctor oversee their paramedic practices. Some EMS services, particularly those with hospitals in their county, are served by medical directors at no charge, with some taking on the duty as part of their contract with the hospital. The medical director can be consulted by EMS leaders on proper patient care techniques.

Madison County’s long-time medical director Christopher Bostdorff informed county leaders earlier this year that he would no longer serve as director for free. He initially asked for $20,000 in 2011, but later agreed to perform the function for $16,000. He noted that providing the service to the county includes liability issues and that some pay is warranted.

Pethel said the increase is unnecessary and that the board could find a doctor to perform the function for free.

“That’s $16,000 in taxpayer money we shouldn’t have to pay,” said Pethel.

As the discussion continued, Pethel stacked his papers, stood up and walked out of the meeting.

“Fellows, knowing the things that I know about several things that are going on and has gone on in the past, I can’t sit here and go through this without saying some things I ought not to so and whatever y’all decide to do on this budget, it’s yours,” said Pethel to the board as he left the room.

The BOC adjourned the meeting for several minutes as commissioner Bruce Scogin went to talk to Pethel. The BOC re-opened the meeting about 10 minutes later, but Pethel had gone.

Commissioners urged Lewis, who has only had the director’s job for several months, “not to take it personally” that Pethel had walked out during Lewis’ budget discussions with the board.

“There’s a lot of history here,” BOC chairman Anthony Dove told Lewis, adding that he is doing a good job. Other commissioners also voiced support for Lewis.

Lewis said this week that he was a little surprised and found it “hard not to take it personally” when Pethel walked out as he stood before the board talking about EMS funding. However, he said he understands that people in public service will disagree from time to time.

“I think he and I just had a different view on what we expect from our emergency services physician,” said Lewis. “I don’t fault his opinion … We were both trying to do the right thing.”

Lewis noted that Bostdorff is president of the Georgia Emergency Medicine Specialists.

“It’s not that we want a doctor for this; we want this doctor,” said Lewis. “Dr. Bostdorff is very, very good. His credentials are impeccable.”

Lewis noted that EMS services in counties with hospitals often aren’t charged for medical director services, because physicians’ contracts with the hospitals stipulate that they will take on that duty. But he said he believes the days of free medical director services are coming to a close.

He said it’s not sensible that the “most highly educated person on our team is not compensated.”

Pethel called The Journal Friday and said he couldn’t stand to sit in the budget meeting any longer.

“I apologize for doing what I did, but I sat there and I was boiling,” said Pethel. “I took an oath to try to keep taxes down. But them throwing another $16,000 in there and me knowing the reason why it was. I just sat there as long as I could sit there.”

Pethel named five north Georgia counties that aren’t charged by their medical directors: Jackson, Banks, Franklin, Oglethorpe and Wilkes counties.

The district 2 commissioner said he knows some people will think he has personal feelings related to the county EMS. His son, John Pethel Jr., formerly served as the assistant director of Madison County EMS.

“People think I’m doing this because John once worked there and that’s absolutely not the reason,” said Pethel, who noted that his son is happy with his current job. “They probably think he’s a hot-head. But I just didn’t want to be a part of that.”

After Pethel left the meeting Friday, the board continued the discussion.

Dove noted that the days of free service from medical directors are coming to an end. He also spoke well of Bostdorff.

“He is a top-notch doctor who has been doing it for nothing,” said Dove.

Lewis pointed out that many volunteer medical directors have been primarily “a signature on a page.”

And Dove said he wants the medical director to be involved in EMS, someone who can be consulted and provide medical advice, not just someone who provides a legally mandated signature.

“We want someone who can oversee quality assurance and make sure things are done correctly,” he said.

The board discussed seeking a retired doctor to fill the role of medical director, but Dove noted that medical technology changes rapidly and that it’s good to have someone assisting EMS who is working in a hospital and up to speed on changes.

“It’s an asset to have someone who can guide you,” said Dove of the medical director.

Commissioner Stanley Thomas said he favors having someone in the medical director’s role who has experience, not someone who is young and searching for something that looks good on a resume.

“Do you want someone who heads up a field or someone looking for a feather in their cap?” asked Thomas. “You get what you pay for.”

The proposed 2011 county budget, which can now be reviewed at the county commissioners’ office, includes the $16,000 for the medical director’s position.