A lifeline for the city: PHI offers $9 per year membership for city residents

Nita Johnson, The Sentinel Echo, London, Ky.
·3 min read

May 8—Medical expenses can destroy even the strongest financial base, but London residents may soon have an option to defray some of those costs.

Officials with PHI Air Medical services approached the London City Council on Monday evening to explain a new program with huge savings potential for city residents.

Mayor Randall Weddle told council members the information discussed by PHI's proposal was just that — a discussion.

PHI Cares, a service of PHI Healthcare, presented a proposal to the City of London to provide special rates to city residents for their flight services. That rate would be $9 per year per household. With that, the City would pay $27,189 for a total of 3,021 households, with no other monthly fees, charges or sign-up fees.

Officials with PHI emphasized that the proposal is a membership, not insurance, but that the membership would pay for the transport of any member with no out-of-pocket costs.

Weddle said there are many people flown out from London to other medical facilities in Lexington and Corbin.

"Those flights can run $30,000 or more. For most people, they couldn't pay that," he said.

The proposal states: "PHI provides medically necessary emergency air medical transportation. A PHI Cares membership covers the uninsured or otherwise uncovered portion of the flight charges which may be incurred by members requiring medically necessary emergency air medical transportation on a PHI aircraft."

"Again, this is just for discussion," Weddle said. "We can have a town hall meeting and let people come in and ask questions and see if they want these services."

PHI officials said there was no limit on the number of flights for a member or no limit on the number of people in a household — rather, it is a service to offset the costs if an emergency did arise that required medical helicopter transport.

Council members agreed that a town hall to inform residents of the program could be scheduled, with Weddle suggesting that the discussion take place prior to the next city council meeting on June 3.

Public Works Director Phillip Rawlings showed slides of a site on Bomont Avenue in Rolling Acres Subdivision where water run-off has exposed drain lines and created a ditchline. Rawlings said the right-of-way for the city ends just a few feet from the problem site — thus requiring city leaders to approve action. That issue was approved unanimously.

Street closures for upcoming tourism events was another topic for council members. Chris Robinson with London City Tourism requested street closings for Town Center concerts, the World Chicken Festival, Christmas on Main and Boo on Main. Those requests were approved.

The first-ever Juneteenth celebration in London was another topic addressed during Monday's city council meeting. Organizers asked for streets to be closed from 5th to 7th Streets for the celebration, set for June 15th.

Council members also approved the street department surplussing some items, which can be found on the city's website for bidding.