The Los Angeles City Transportation Committee voted Dec. 10 to adopt the 2024–25 private ambulance service rates and a new methodology for future adjustments, advancing a long‑running city system that sets fixed rates for nonemergency transports.

Chair Councilwoman Heather Hutt called the motion to approve the CAO and DOT recommendations as amended and the clerk recorded the roll call vote with Hutt, Council members Park and Hernandez, and Council member Nazarian voting in favor and Council member Badia absent; the motion passed.

The meeting featured extended public comment in support of the rate increase from private ambulance operators and labor representatives. Brock Hardaway, CEO of the parent company that owns PRN Ambulance, said the proposed increase is necessary to keep pace with rising costs and to provide wage increases for EMTs and paramedics: “Without the rate increase in front of you today, we would not be able to keep up with the massive cost increases and, more importantly, not be able to give our hardworking EMTs and paramedics a wage increase.”

Corey Martin, chief officer of Medic 1 Ambulance, urged preserving fixed city rates, warning that a move to negotiable prices could trigger a “race to the bottom” in which providers cut critical services to compete. Josh Barker, treasurer of the Southern California Ambulance Association, said a predictable adjustment process is needed to align rates with operating costs.

Hospital and insurer representatives expressed concern about the fixed‑rate approach. Lisa Gritzner, speaking on behalf of Kaiser Permanente and the Hospital Association of Southern California, told the committee that allowing negotiated rates (as occurs elsewhere in California) should be considered and warned the fixed‑rate proposal could cost Kaiser roughly $25 million per year: “This fixed rate equals $25,000,000 per year in increased costs.” Gritzner also cited potential federal changes to Medicare eligibility as a complicating factor.

Labor leaders told the committee the private ambulance ordinance protects workers and service quality. Catherine Vieira Houston, political and legislative coordinator for United Steelworkers District 12, said insurance companies have pressured the city to rescind the ordinance and urged the committee to preserve the current structure to protect union jobs.

The committee’s approval instructs DOT to proceed under the adopted rate schedule and the newly established methodology and to report back as required by the motion. The item will move to the full City Council per committee procedure.