Reader Note by Tom Moore: Vote No On Question A
Oct 28, 2010 14:59 - 2 Comments
Posted by: Cindy Cotte Griffiths
Department: Contributor Opinion,Opinion
Tags: by Tom Moore, Reader Notes
Department: Contributor Opinion,Opinion
Tags: by Tom Moore, Reader Notes
Medic 39 from the RVFD Website
This Reader Note from Tom Moore concerns the November 2, 2010 Ballot Question A on the Emergency Medical Services Transport Fee.
When I served as an ambulance driver for the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department, one of my specialties (other than splendid medical care) was convincing reluctant patients to go to the hospital in my ambulance when I judged it necessary for them do so. I enjoyed the challenge, and was called upon to practice it more often than you might guess.
It is a delicate discussion to conduct — you want to make the point to the patient that their injury or illness could become quite serious or fatal if ignored, yet you don’t want to go overboard and frighten them to death on the spot. It was a difficult enough task without the significant added complication of trying to explain to a seriously sick or injured patient the details of a county ambulance fee.
I am convinced that I saved a few lives over the years by persuading my patients to go to the hospital to get the care they needed. I am similarly convinced that an ambulance fee will cost lives over time by being just one more reason why ambulance patients refuse treatment.
I strongly urge a “No” vote on Question A.
Tom Moore
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Tom I disagree with you about the ambulance fee. My nephew in P.G. County who was unemployed and uninsured was taken to the hospital on an emergency call. He did not know he was going to receive a $350 bill later. The cost had no affect on if he got transported to the hospital.
My brother paid for the bill and my nephew probably qualified to have Medicaid pay for it. A waiver was not requested. The fee structure works in the surrounding jurisdictions. It can work in our County.
I believe that EMS’ concern is not the fee, but to assess the seriousness of the emergency and provide the medical care necessary. This should not change with the new fee structure.
If I am in the hospital needing emergency surgery, the cost is the least concern. The medical attention is priority regardless who pays.
I already voted for the Ballot Question A and support the ambulance fee structure so that insurance companies can pay the fees.
i also am voting YES like brigitta. i met with some neighbors last night who were confused about this issue. i hope people understand that voting YES is actually a no vote against the repeal of the fees, which are already included in the county budget.