County Seeks Higher EMS TennCare Reimbursements

November 23, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County and other local governments across the state that operate ambulance services are concerned that today’s TennCare reimbursements are not adequate to help meet costs.

During Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, the county commission is expected to adopt a resolution asking the Tennessee General Assembly to take action directing TennCare to reimburse ground ambulance providers at a rate not less than the current Medicare fee schedule and to add funding to the 2020-21 state budget for that purpose.

The resolution states “ Whereas, with the growth of our great state and the need for more and more services of all kinds, especially emergency medical services and the continuing rising costs of medical care, our agencies are constantly searching for more resources; and

Whereas, more rural hospitals are being closed and community clinics are being downsized, requiring great needs for ambulance services as the first line of care providers and transportation from remote areas; and

Whereas, Medicaid (TennCare) reimbursement has not increased since the inception of the TN Medicaid managed care system; and

Whereas, Medicare rates do not reflect the actual cost to operate ambulance services and TennCare rates are, in most cases, half of what Medicare provides, forcing limitations of services and placing a greater burden on local agencies and citizens; and

Whereas, ambulance services throughout the State, in order to meet growing emergency needs and reduce the burden on the local governments and taxpayers need assistance in improving funding for these lifesaving services.

Therefore, be it resolved by the DeKalb County Board of County Commissioners that this body does hereby ask that we show our support for legislation which directs TennCare to reimburse ground ambulance providers at a rate not less than the current Medicare fee schedule; and

Be it further resolved that this body does hereby pray that our State Representatives and Senators be contacted and encouraged to support legislation which directs TennCare to reimburse ground ambulance providers at a rate not less than the current Medicare fee schedule; and

Be it further resolved that our delegates also request that the funding for this much needed change be provided within the Governor’s fiscal year 20-21 budget; and

Be it further resolved, that though this increased funding does not cover the full cost of services, it will begin an effort to aid our communities as demand continues to increase for EMS system resources across the state including the costs of maintaining staff, equipment and training for pre-hospital emergency medical services, and filling the gap of the reduction in hospitals throughout Tennessee that is rendering EMS systems as the first line of care for many counties.

Be it further resolved that the County Clerk send copies of this resolution to the members of the General Assembly representing DeKalb County”.

November 23, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

The historic season for the DeKalb County High School Tiger football team has come to an end with a 42 to 6 loss at Nolensville Friday night in the quarterfinals of the TSSAA Class 4A Playoffs.

The Tigers conclude the season at 8-5 overall and 2-1 in the playoffs while Nolensville improves to 11-2 and will face Elizabethton next Friday night in the state semi-finals.

The season was historic for the Tigers in that it was the first time in school history that the football program had advanced to the 3rd round of the state playoffs.

Tiger Talk November 21

The Knights got on the board with 8:03 left in the 1^st period on a touchdown run by Ryan Pistulka capping a 72 yard drive. Luke Jenkins added the extra point and Nolensville led 7-0.

Samson Johnson extended the Knights lead on a 5 yard touchdown run with 4:49 left in the 1^st period. Jenkins converted the extra point and Nolensville had a 14-0 lead.

Ryder Galardi threw a touchdown pass to Tim Coutras good for 28 yards giving the Knights a 21-0 lead after the Jenkins PAT with 3:04 left in the 1^st period.

Galardi scored on a 30 yard quarterback keeper with 1:25 left in the 2^nd period to put Nolensville out front 28-0 after the Jenkins extra point.

Pistulka stretched the Knights’ lead with 10:58 left in the 3^rd period on a 36 yard touchdown run. Jenkins booted the extra point and Nolensville led 35-0.

The only score of the night for the Tigers came on a 5 yard touchdown run by Nathaniel Crook with 9:35 left in the 4^th period. The PAT try by Alan Munoz was blocked and DeKalb County trailed 35-6.

The Knights added one more score with 3:15 left in the game on another 36 yard touchdown run by Pistulka. Jenkins added the PAT and Nolensville won 42-6.

November 22, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

A man who tried to pull off an armed robbery in August at the Disco Tienda Latina store on East Broad Street in Smithville was indicted Friday by the new term of the DeKalb County Grand Jury.

Joshua McAllen Beckham is under indictment for two counts of attempted aggravated robbery. He will be arraigned in Criminal Court on December 10.

According to the indictments on or about the 21^st day of August, 2019, Beckham attempted to take cash from a man and a woman at the store by use of violence putting them in fear of their lives. This act was accomplished with a deadly weapon (a knife).

Smithville Police say Beckham walked into the business dressed in black with a stocking over his face brandishing a knife and demanded money from two people in the store but he fled on foot without taking anything.  One of his intended victims was a female store clerk and the other was a Comcast employee performing Internet  service work for the business.  No one was injured. Police and others conducted a search immediately after the incident but could not find the man.

Because of the close proximity, both Northside and Smithville Elementary Schools were placed on a soft lock down but classes remained in session.

Schools dismissed on time and students at Northside and Smithville Elementary were escorted to their buses as a precaution. Beckham was found and arrested several days later. Officers also recovered shoes, gloves, and the knife believed to have been used in the crime.

Beckham was among 20 people indicted by the Grand Jury Friday. They will be arraigned in Criminal Court on December 10.

All those indicted and their charges are as follows:

Joshua McAllen Beckham: Attempted aggravated robbery (2 counts)

Jeremy Allen Carr: Harrassment

David Lloyd Close: DUI-4^th offense, driving on a revoked license -3^rd offense, violation of the implied consent law, violation of the open container law, and violation of financial responsibility

Dylan Allen Crook: Burglary, theft over $10,000, and vandalism over $1,000

Brady Gordon Cunningham: DUI-6^th offense, driving on a revoked license-3^rd offense, tampering with evidence, and resisting arrest

Eva Louise Dover: Simple possession of a schedule II drug (Methamphetamine)

Marv Richardson Cash Fullilove: Aggravated burglary, theft under $1,000, auto burglary, and theft over $10,000

Christopher Daniel Gibbs: DUI-4^th offense, driving on a revoked license-3^rd offense, evading, violation of open container, and violation of the light law

Mark William Green: Possession with intent to sell or deliver over 26 grams of a schedule II drug (Methamphetamine) and DUI

Craig Anthony Hill: Aggravated burglary and theft over $2,500

Christopher Thomas Jones: Tampering with evidence and simple possession of a schedule VI drug (Marijuana)

Chad Everette Knowles: Possession with intent to sell or deliver over 0.5 grams of a schedule II drug (Methamphetamine), criminal simulation, and possession of drug paraphernalia

Katie Kathleen Lee: DUI and DUI per se

Kristi Clear Lovell: Theft under $1,000

Thomas Braxton Nix: Possession with intent to sell or deliver over 0.5 grams of a schedule II drug (Methamphetamine); possession with intent to sell or deliver a schedule III drug (Burprenorphine), possession with intent to sell or deliver a schedule VI drug (Marijuana), introduction of contraband, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Anthony Shane Seals: DUI-3^rd offense and driving on a revoked license-2^nd offense

Ryan Davis Taylor: Burglary and theft over $2,500

Angela Quovodas Tubbs: DUI and violation of the implied consent law

Paul Allen Willingham: Simple possession of a schedule VI drug (Marijuana) and possession of drug paraphernalia

Larry Matthew Willis: DUI, DUI per se, simple possession of a schedule VI drug (Marijuana), and open container

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