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Local Voices

Crisis Center of Tampa Bay's Ambulance Service Approved to Expand

The Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission voted today to lift a long-standing restriction on the Crisis Center’s ambulance service, TransCare. For years, TransCare could respond to 9-1-1 and mental health emergencies, but was barred from serving non-emergency medical patients. With today’s vote, TransCare is now able to take patients to and from hospitals, nursing homes, and other medical facilities just like other private ambulance companies serving Hillsborough County residents.

TransCare currently provides 9-1-1 Basic Life Support ambulance services to over 30,000 Tampa residents per year. TransCare contributes all of its profits to fund rape crisis, suicide prevention, family stabilization and trauma counseling services provided by the Crisis Center to over 180,000 County residents annually.  Because TransCare never turns anyone away, it has been particularly hard hit by rising expenses and shrinking insurance revenues.  Likewise, government support for the Crisis Center has declined by over 60% over the last several years.  Today’s action by the PTC means that TransCare can continue to answer 9-1-1 calls while ensuring that vital Crisis Center programs continue.

“This is a win-win for all,” said Terence Ramotar, Vice President for TransCare.  “The PTC’s action means more competition, improved services to our County’s residents and more choice for healthcare providers and consumers alike.” As this County’s only nationally accredited nonprofit ambulance company, TransCare will use the money it makes from inter-facility transportation services to improve response times and ambulance availability to the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County and serve even more people facing a major trauma or  serious life crisis.

About Crisis Center of Tampa Bay

The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay exist to assure that no one has to face crisis alone.  Services include 24 hour crisis counseling, suicide prevention and survivor support, educational programs, specialized trauma counseling and therapy, case management and financial counseling, and TransCare Medical Transportation Services available 24 hours a day. For more information on Crisis Center, please visit www.crisiscenter.com

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