COVINGTON, Ga. - Piedmont Newton Hospital has confirmed that it is in talks with National EMS to provide ambulance service in Newton County.

“At this point in time, we are only in talks with National EMS and no agreement has been reached,” Hospital Spokesperson Amanda Bartlett said in a statement to The Covington News Friday. 

She said the hospital intends to continue to provide EMS service as is through Oct. 1.

Piedmont Newton informed Newton County June 27 that it intended to retain control of its license to provide ambulance service. It had reportedly earlier said it would surrender its ambulance license after the Board of Commissioners (BOC) declined to provide a $1.7 million subsidy for the service.