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HARLINGEN -- Manuel Cruz comes to Harlingen from San Perlita to receive dialysis treatment.  Life Care EMS was his choice for ambulance transportation. 

But when it was time to leave the center with Life Care EMS some five hours later, Harlingen police officers stepped in. 

It turns out the ambulance company based in Lyford was breaking a city ordinance that awarded South Texas Emergency Care exclusive rights to non-emergency ambulance transport. 

Henry Rodriguez, who owns Life Care EMS, believes the law is unfair.

"Every patient has the right to choose their health care provider," he said.

It's a belief spelled out under the “U.S. Patients' Bill of Rights.”  Rodriguez said the city's ordinance strips those rights away by locking out other ambulance providers. 

Cruz met with Harlingen City Attorney Rick Bilbie who is heard on a secretly recorded audio device how patients do not have the right to choose what ambulance to go in, “Nope.  Not in the City of Harlingen."

Bilbie's statement is not something he shies away from.  In fact, the city's attorney said the ordinance actually protects its citizens in a number of ways.

“We believe by the city having the ordinance like this... We have the authority to regulate ambulance services under our police power," said Bilbie.

Bilbie said the ordinance maintains consistent high standards of care by protecting the health, safety and welfare of the public, eliminates the possibility of predatory medical transfers, and ensures a steady flow of income for emergency services provided by STEC who's under contract with the city.

"It's not fair... No... It's not fair," said Manuel Cruz.

The 85 year patient isn't alone with his beliefs.  That’s why his choice ambulance provider Life Care EMS and other ambulance companies like STAR all say they plan to fight the city on the language of the ordinance. 

Specifically the language dealing with patients who do not live in the city. 

It’s a point not even the police were clear on so they allowed both STAR and Life Care EMS to transport their patients out of Harlingen.  

Rodriguez called it a small victory.

"I'm glad that someone was able to hear me... And hear my patients," he said.