Paying residents should have choice of ALS service

Published: March 8, 2010

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Dear Editor: I have some serious questions about these Advanced Life Support Services. If we, the citizens, are charged for these services, we should have a choice of who responds, which currently we do not have. It's like deciding to buy a Toyota or Honda. Consumers have a choice, but not when it comes to ALS providers. I feel this is against consumer protection laws, and should be looked at by the county. Also, why are our tax dollars being used to pay to dispatch these "for profit" ALS services? Fire departments/rescue units are volunteer, and may bill an insurance company to recoup some costs, but do not charge a victim, as they would lose their volunteer status as tax exempt, and would receive no Firemans Relief Association monies. We absolutely must use taxpayer dollars to dispatch and support these great men and women who give their time at no cost to help their fellow citizens. But, using taxpayer funds to support these for profit services must be stopped. So, we, the taxpayers should NOT be paying to dispatch these for-profit companies. They should be billed for each call dispatched by the county EOC. Let's end this nonsense, give consumers the choice they are allowed by federal laws and end taxpayer support for privately owned, for-profit services. Bill them like they bill us, so much for each call the county dispatches them for. We have enough of government now telling us what we can and cannot do, and what we must or must not buy. Now it's not just the federal government, but our own city and boroughs making us buy specific services. It's our lives we are dealing with using these ALS service providers. Give us the choice we deserve.

Leroy A.Griffiths

Kulpmont

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1 posted comments

We just got our bill for an ambulance transport from Mt. Carmel to Geisinger in Danville and the bill was $681....Outrageous!!!!! Half the cost was for mileage!!!! Ridiculous!
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mad,  03/20/10 9:06