Counties Consider Charging For Emergency Transport

Albemarle County is pushing forward with plans to charge for ambulance rides, and now Augusta County is looking at a similar set of new fees.

[Tommy]

Here we go, the BOS finding another way to get money out of our pocket. We have always donated money to the SDRS, and felt good about doing it.Because we have needed them in the past and I will need them in the future. But they know that some insurance co. will pay for the ride and they want in on the action. But that will stop soon, watch the news, listen to the debate going on about health care. Everyone knows the goverment and insurance co. are cutting back on what they pay for.And why should I help pay for a ride for someone on the other side of the county? I live in Stuarts Draft, I know how busy they are. But I will not give another dime to them. Now my taxes and what I get charged for the ride is all they will get. My insurance will not pay for a ride. What happens in two or three years, after they start charging people, and they have a profit in the bank. Do you think they will give it back to us, or lower the charges for they ride? I think NOT!!!

[In Support]

If Insurance will pay for it then great. It's better than not having emergency services all together. These people are providing services out of the goodness of their hearts not to make a profit. I for one don't see these types of people ever abusing the system. Lets see how you feel about paying for services when one of your family members needs it. Each person can give a little now or someday there will be no one answering at the other end of the 911 call. Take responsibility for your community and for taking up your space on this earth. We all have to chip in. It's not like they are going to blow it on vacations, it's for the well being of you, your family, your community!

[ohjeez]

In Support wrote:

If Insurance will pay for it then great. It's better than not having emergency services all together. These people are providing services out of the goodness of their hearts not to make a profit. I for one don't see these types of people ever abusing the system. Lets see how you feel about paying for services when one of your family members needs it. Each person can give a little now or someday there will be no one answering at the other end of the 911 call. Take responsibility for your community and for taking up your space on this earth. We all have to chip in. It's not like they are going to blow it on vacations, it's for the well being of you, your family, your community!

People fall for anything.
So the dept. has run fine for how many years without gouging sick people? Why all of a sudden do they have a need for a windfall of money?
Send the bums running the place packing and get a new group.

[In Support]

ohjeez wrote:

<quoted text>
People fall for anything.
So the dept. has run fine for how many years without gouging sick people? Why all of a sudden do they have a need for a windfall of money?
Send the bums running the place packing and get a new group.

Every heard of increased cost of living? Inflation? Recession?

I bet you won't be calling them "bums" should you ever need to dial up 911 someday.
Okay, lets say those who wish not pay forfeit their right to use the service, sound like a winner?

[thinking free]

This could well backfire in their faces. All these years we have been donating funds to support these good folks, now the powers that be want to screw us some more with more costs to our health care. I wouldn't blame all the folks who have donated in the past to say screw you if they go down this road.

[Andrew Pullen]

Most insurance companies are profiting from not being billed for transport by ems agencies because insurance policies cover transport and when they are not billed for it; they are saving money. Volunteer Fire and Rescue survived on donation for a long time around here, but times have changed and agencies are answering a lot more calls for service than ever before and inturn are spending more and more and have much larger operating budgets. Training for volunteers and supplies to outift an ems vehicle are much more expensive than before. I have seen fee for service implemented in an agency that I worked for and it worked like it is working so many other places. You are already paying your insurance companies for transport by an ambulance to a hospital so dont blame fire/ems, blame the insurance companies for pocketing your money all this time.

[Andrew Pullen]

I encourage citizens to get all the facts and research counties such as Stafford, Hanover, and Louisa who bill for service. Only then can you make educated comments.