State Rep. Phil Green recently led discussions on an issue that has stretched hospital, ambulance and pharmaceutical services thin both within his House District and across Michigan.

The issue originates from the state’s former health care contractor, Wellpath, failing to pay for services rendered to inmates in 2023 and 2024. The Michigan Association of Ambulance Services estimates over $6 million in unpaid bills are owed to emergency medical service (EMS) agencies across Michigan. Wellpath’s contract with the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) ended in April 2024 and the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November, leaving at least 15 EMS providers in Michigan unpaid for emergency services provided to prison facilities.

Last year, Wellpath informed EMS agencies that it could not pay these claims, citing an alleged lack of clarity from MDOC on its responsibility to pay for emergency responder services.

The local EMS agency in Lapeer County, a portion of which Green represents in the Michigan House, is currently owed over $100,000 for transporting inmates for medical treatment – putting lifesaving care at risk.

“Many local emergency service providers across our region and state operate on a very tight budget. They don’t have hundreds of thousands of dollars in reserve funds to plug a hole and they have not been compensated for critical, life-saving services through no fault of their own,” said Green, of Millington. “This is untenable and they need solutions. I have been a consistent advocate in the Legislature for making this right and I am hopeful that we can address this as we start the budget process for the upcoming fiscal year. This is something that has impacted communities in many different legislative districts – not just Republican or Democrat. I look forward to additional conversations with local and state officials as we continue to navigate this issue.”

Last year, Green proposed to amend a budget bill so that surplus Emergency Management funds would be shifted to the Michigan Department of Corrections to help reimburse unpaid Emergency Medical Service Providers and hospitals. The amendment was not adopted as the legislation was advanced by the House Appropriations Committee.

“Budgeting is about priorities and responsible spending,” Green said. “Making sure our EMS units are properly funded and fairly compensated need to be priorities.”

PHOTO INFORMATION: State Rep. Phil Green (speaking, left), spoke with House colleagues this week about ongoing efforts to provide vital funding for first responders and communities both in Lapeer County and across Michigan who have not been reimbursed for critical services.