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Anne Arundel exec proposes $500 ambulance service fee
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Related Topics: Anne Arundel County
Anne Arundel County (Map, News) - Getting seriously injured in Anne Arundel County could cost people several hundreds dollars if a new ambulance service fee wins County Council approval.
Anne Arundel County Executive John R. Leopold is proposing a $500 fee imposed on anyone taken to any hospital via a county-run ambulance.
“As we’re dealing with fiscal constraints, the [county fire] department is looking for ways to contribute, and this is one,” said Matthew Tobia, battalion chief for the county’s fire and EMS department.
County officials have said no one would be denied ambulance service; they would be billed afterward if the proposal passes the council.
This bill affects anyone traveling in Anne Arundel, even if they are taken to a hospital outside of the county, such as the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, Tobia said.
The fee can also affect people living just outside of the county in places like Laurel, Savage, Baltimore City and Kent Island where Anne Arundel EMS responds as backup support.
If approved, people who use Anne Arundel ambulances will start getting billed in April 2009, Tobia said.
The proposal is one of many “revenue enhancements” needed to offset declining revenues and generate more funding outside of Anne Arundel’s property tax cap, Leopold said.
Leopold said the fee would generate about $2 million a year.
Tobia said 15 other local jurisdictions have similar fees, including Prince George’s, Baltimore and Queen Anne’s counties, and Annapolis, Baltimore City and the District of Columbia.
Officials at Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis declined to comment on the proposal, as they said Leopold’s staff has not discussed the proposed fee with the hospital.
Baltimore-Washington Medical Center in Glen Burnie did not return calls for comment.
Tobia said the proposal is in flux and officials are considering changing the fee to apply only to what insurance companies cover as well as exempting those who are uninsured.
That would appease the Maryland Hospital Association.
“We understand the need for Anne Arundel to generate revenue,” said Nancy Fielder, MHA’s spokeswoman. “These fees are nothing new. But we would like to see that the uninsured will not pay, so it doesn’t deter people from calling 911 for help.”
jflanagan@baltimoreexaminer.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
8:38 PM MST on Mon., May. 19, 2008 re: "Anne Arundel exec proposes $500 ambulance service fee"
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Examiner Reader said:
"Goverment is over taxing and billing us" - I am a volunteer firefighter in AA County and with the exception of a couple of stations, the majority of Fire and EMS personnel in the county are paid employees, no matter what it says on the side of the Fire Engine. The system would not function without them. The Ambulances are not being abused by illegals, its the "locals", some of who have been transported to the hospital HUNDREDS of time in the past year, for things as ludicrous as having a toothache. The Fee would discourage this ABUSE of the resources so that they are available for real emergencies, not because someone doesn't want to go to school or work.
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Epsilon Mu Sigma said:
Finally.. we'll stick it to our insurance companies which have been skating by. Wow! Maybe these end-user fees will eventually allow us to eliminate the tax subsidy for EMS. What a great way to save money and lower taxes. EMS is a complex business and unfortunately, a tiny article won't give anyone enough understanding of how EMS should be funded but instead make people think they are getting a raw deal by actually paying for a service they use. "First of all I would like to point out that most if not all Fire Departments in AA County are ran by volunteers." Have you any numbers to support this? I don't think you'll be able to find support for this statement.
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Examiner Reader said:
The first line says it all. Nothing unbiased there. Ambulance fees are aimed at recouping costs associated with operation and discouraging inappropriate use. Think about it: you're having a heart attack, but the closest ambulance is busy hauling someone with a cold to the hospital. It's not just the illegals, it's selfish people with poor judgement. That happens in all demographic levels. And as far as your "all departments are volunteer departments", the reason why you have career personnel is because the volunteers CAN'T GUARANTEE 100% RESPONSE 100% OF THE TIME. Can't blame 'em, they have jobs too but YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. Most of the time the bills aren't pursued anyway. So suck it up and deal with it. Want less taxes? Trade in some of your comforts, like an ambulance or fire engine getting out the door in under a minute.
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Goverment is over taxing and billing us said:
The nurse brings up a good point. The illegal immigrants will get this as a free service. That is how they came up with $500. You are paying for the illegal immigrants along with your ride. I think people need to stand up and fight for our rights. raising our BGE bills, raising gas, raising food being brought in by trucks and the list goes on. How much do you think the middle class can endure? Leopold this is the dumbest idea you have had to date. Why don't we all quit work, stay home and collect Social Services and have more babies. More babies means more money. I don't know about the rest of America but I am getting tired of being hit from all angles.
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Goverment is over taxing and billing us said:
First of all I would like to point out that most if not all Fire Departments in AA County are ran by volunteers. Secondly, I pay county taxes and there should be enough funds for ambulance services. I feel our money is not being managed correctly when the county can say they don't have enough. Stop paying companies outrageous fees for services. Stop paying top executives outrageous salaries. When does it end? Taxes were proposed to help pay for what? Now we are implementing separate fees? Only if I were paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to make decisions for AA county. I have an idea - maybe you can research this idea and spend a million in researching it.
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Examiner Reader said:
How many people qre they going to kill with this bill? People will be afraid to call for and ambo because they do not want to pay the $500.00.
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Examiner Reader said:
I think that's a rather high amount to charge, how did they come about that amount? I think maybe charge $100.00, but $500.00 is way too much.
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Examiner Reader said:
As a nurse in at B.W.M.C I would like to know how your going to bill the illegals that over run us on a daily basis now. We cant even get I.D to bill them for the visit. How will you bill them for an ambo ride. You cant so theres another free service for them!!
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