The stay delays a previous ruling that would have prevented the law that turned over paramedic services in Camden to Cooper.
TRENTON -- Cooper University Hospital will take over emergency medical services in Camden City while court proceedings over the legislation that provided them with that opportunity continue.
A court ruling that blocked the implementation of a law that turned over paramedic services in Camden City to Cooper University Hospital was delayed in an appellate ruling Tuesday, according to court documents.
The legislation, which was signed into law by Governor Chris Christie in July, requires ALS services to be provided by a level one trauma center in their home municipality. It also gives the trauma centers the opportunity to provide basic life support services. On Dec. 22, a Superior Court judge ruled that the law was special legislation, which is prohibited by the state constitution.
Superior Court Judge Joseph Yannotti granted a motion filed by the state that asked for a stay to be put on last week's ruling pending an appeal.
The law was challenged by Virtua Health, which has provided advanced life support ALS services in Camden for 38 years. The state added a $2.5 million payment to Cooper to build its paramedic service in the current fiscal year's budget
The law also gives Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital the option to operate ALS services in Hamilton. Capital Health System -- which has provided paramedic service in Hamilton since 1977 -- joined Virtua in challenging the law.
Although Cooper is not specially mentioned in the legislation, Virtua criticized the law as a power grab by Cooper and its chairman, George Norcross.
Supporters pointed to concerns about the current ALS services in Camden. County officials cited a commissioned report on Virtua's paramedic response times as a reason for their concerns. However, Virtua later criticized that report, saying it was inaccurate and based on an old standard.
Following the decision last week, Cooper issued a statement saying they expected the appellate division to review the case in order to avoid the disruption of emergency medical services in Camden if they law did not go into effect on Jan. 2.
The New Jersey Office Attorney General said they would not comment on ongoing litigation.
Virtua reacted to the decision in a statement issued Tuesday.
"Virtua intends to seek reconsideration of the order granting the stay to permit Virtua to continue to provide Advanced Life Support (ALS) services in the City of Camden," the statement said. "As we await the resolution Virtua remains committed to providing experienced and high quality emergency medical services for residents in the 76 other municipalities we serve in Camden and Burlington Counties."
Cooper did not immediately return requests for comment Tuesday.
Alex Young may be reached at ayoung@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @AlexYoungSJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.
