Comments on: Ambulance ride should be on county’s tab, board argues

By: WeCanDoBetter

WeCanDoBetter — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 17:30:46 +0000

The cost for ambulance service should be on the health insurance companies. Why would you want to give the insurance companies a pass on their responsibilities? I pay for health insurance and I fully expect them to pay for ambulance service should I have the need for it in an emergency situation. I agree that the county has responsibility to its citizens but let’s not give the insurance companies a pass.

By: IHateYuppies

IHateYuppies — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:59:12 +0000

You guys don’t get it.

Health insurance companies can give the middle finger to Montgomery County. They will exclude any Montgomery County resident policy holder from ambulatory coverage. Legally, they can do this. If you have a heart attack or car accident, you are paying BIG TIME.

So wait, I should pay $2,000 for a REAL emergency ride to the hospital because our local government is running from its responsibility to its citizens. Dumping the costs on to the health insurance companies will be a disaster. In the end, it’s the patients/voters in Montgomery County who get stuck with the bill. What a terrible idea, Mr. Leggett.

By: WeCanDoBetter

WeCanDoBetter — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 15:54:02 +0000

I think that Leggett’s plan makes sense. Let the insurance companies pay for ambulance services. I agree with Lynn’s comment that a fee would lessen non-emergency calls but I would have the individual pay the full cost for transport in those situations where it was a non-emergency. That would really drive home the message that ambulance service should be used in emergencies only. I am a little surprised that the county is providing free transport and has not already been billing the insurance companies. I disagree with the comment that poorer individuals will have reason to pause to call 911 because of the fee. Uninsured individuals will not have to pay according to Leggett and insured individuals will have the expense charged to the insurance company. Why would they be hesitant in calling 911? The Citizen’s Advisory Board reasoning doesn’t make sense. Why would it be unfair? Why would it be ineffective? It appears that the Board is using scare tactic language (could lead to increased death rates) without any firm evidence or rationale. Why don’t they focus their time on other issues like pedestrian safety? There is a higher chance of someone dying from crossing some of these intersections in Downtown Silver Spring than from Leggett’s proposed plan. Leggett’s plan is a no-brainer.

By: DMZ

DMZ — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 15:06:08 +0000

If you want national socialized health care (and I don’t), vote it in in 2008. But the county is not going to be able to wing it on its own. Legget’s proposal seems sensible enough, and judging from the health debt issues that so many people have, it’s clear that folks aren’t skimping on the basic care because it costs money – at least not initially.

By: Lynn

Lynn — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 23:32:25 +0000

A compromise that might help the issue would be to charge a flat fee of about $50. This would help people to realize that it is expensive to have an ambulance, so lessen non-emergency calls, yet promote through a nominal fee the incentive to call if it is an emergency. It’s important to strike a balance.

By: IHateYuppies

IHateYuppies — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 17:05:47 +0000

And what if our health insurance plans don’t cover ambulatory care?

Trust me, health insurance companies are like eels, they can slither and slime through anything to avoid paying for a patient’s medical treatment.

H.R. 676–a national health service plan for ALL Americans is the way to go.