Further proof needed for Ohio EMS debt collection

A defunct medical services company that served three Ohio counties for more than three decades is now at odds with one over more than $300,000 in debt, the Ironton Tribune reports. Southeast Ohio Emergency Medical Services (SEOEMS) provided assistance to Lawrence, Jackson and Athens counties until the latter two pulled out in 2010, effectively discontinuing the company's services. However, an audit conducted last May by state auditor Dave Yost revealed SEOEMS owed Lawrence County $301,396 for work performed between 2008 and 2010. The county is now seeking help from its collections department to recoup the funds, although its efforts have been stunted because official documentation of the audit's findings have not been released. "At this time there is no document showing that a finding for recovery should be issued," said Brittany Elking, spokeswoman for Yost's office, as quoted by the news source. Ohio attorney general Mike DeWine is being called upon to intervene and review copies of contracts between Lawrence County and SEOEMS from 2009 and 2010. According to its website, SEOEMS served Lawrence County with 24-hour assistance and housed two paramedic-staffed ambulances and one backup vehicle.