Budget Season
This is going to be an especially challenging budget season for Southern Berkshire Ambulance Squad (SBAS). Here’s why.
State and Federal Headwinds
Insurance revenue covers about two-thirds of our operating budget. Medicare and Medicaid make up 60 percent of that two-thirds. We still do not know how federal cuts to Medicaid and Medicare will impact your ambulance service. Projections, however, are gloomy: Some experts are predicting up to a 10 percent decline in per-call revenue from Medicaid as a result of federal cuts in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” To make matters worse, Congress recently tightened eligibility requirements, and private insurance premiums are set to skyrocket. We do not yet know what the impact of disenrollment will be or how many more will forego their insurance and enter the rolls of the uninsured. What we do expect is a negative impact on our revenue due to these trends.
Around here at least, no one asks for your insurance information when you call 911. Of course, we just respond. Yet every dollar Washington cuts from healthcare has a real impact on your budget. Rest assured, we will find a way, because lives are at stake. It is just a little frustrating when we see the disconnect between need and actual funding levels.
Investment in New Ambulances
As a nonprofit organization, we pinch every penny we can. That is why we got every last mile out of the two ambulances that have reached the end of their service life (one is 12 years old). Earlier this year, we ordered replacements for each of these rigs, because it takes two years to build one from their order date. Ambulance prices have doubled over the past several years, so each of these will cost nearly $500,000. We had to replace them: You just can’t have an ambulance break down during a call. You just can’t.
Earlier this week, we hosted a budget meeting between SBAS staff and leaders from the towns we serve. We so appreciate that these dedicated local leaders took the time to understand our challenges and to work with us to solve them.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to you, your town leaders, to our dedicated EMTs and paramedics, and to all those who work as first responders to keep Berkshire County safe.
Jim Santos
Board Chair
Thanks to Our Delegation
A hearty thanks to State Sen. Paul Mark and State Rep. Leigh Davis for helping to secure the release of a $50,000 earmark from Gov. Maura Healey’s administration. The earmark was in limbo due to state budget challenges related to federal budget challenges. Challenges aside, we thank the delegation, the legislature, and the governor for recognizing the challenges rural emergency services providers face and for helping to ease that burden with this earmark. Thank you all!
Choking: The Heimlich Maneuver
With the holidays upon us and all of the anticipated eating, it is a good time to refresh yourself on the Heimlich maneuver, which helps to clear an obstruction while someone is choking.
Here is a great video from Mass General Hospital. It is only two minutes long. Watch it and you just might save a life!
Photos of World War II Ambulances in Honor of Veterans’ Day
Southern Berkshire Ambulance Squad recently signed purchase commitments to take delivery of two new ambulances, one in late 2026 and one in early 2027.
Please consider a donation to our ambulance fund by clicking here.
If you prefer to donate by check:
Southern Berkshire Ambulance, 31 Lewis Ave., Great Barrington, MA 01230
Thanks for reading this! We will be back next month with more news and information to keep you safe and help you live your best life. We are working on some great options and presentations for our partner towns for this cycle’s budget.
About Southern Berkshire Ambulance
SBA provides primary 911 coverage for the towns of Alford, Ashley Falls, Egremont, Great Barrington, Housatonic, Monterey, Mount Washington, and Sheffield. SBAS also covers the portion of southern Stockbridge known as the Furnace District.
SBAS provides advanced lifesaving paramedic intercept services to the towns of New Marlborough, Otis, Richmond, Sandisfield, and West Stockbridge when available. SBAS supports ambulance needs throughout the county through formal mutual aid agreements covering most of the southern half of Berkshire County.
We are a nonprofit and rely on you to fund our operations.
Please consider a donation to our ambulance fund.
