Illinois EMS

Comment

Comment by Richard (Shaggy) Moon on December 28, 2008 at 11:01pm

Like Bob said they do not have the money and they will be getting nothing if the state goes after their money. I agree there are some that should not pay. But who is that? Again we have to pay when we go why should it be any different. If we had a universal health care that everyone gets the same treatment and pays all the same, we would still be where we are at now. I read an artical about the goverment doing free healthcare. It worked rally well but then they had people that stopped their healthcare at their work to get it free care from the state. Guess what the state lost so much money from everyone dropping coverage to get the free stuff they stopped the free healthcare. I know there is no perfect answer but If I pay $400 amonth for the coverage I have on me and my kids and still have to pay the deductable on top of that then an additional 10%, That seems a lot higher than only a $15 co pay. The goverment has a hard enough time trying to keep themselves out of jail for taking money for themselves. I do not think they will go after the less fortunate to get money when they are trying to pad their pockets from the rich. Most people that say they have no money and abuse the system have big screen tvs and cadys in the driveway. I understand there are some that simply can not do any better. but then let WIC or some other agency give them the co pay. Or let it depend on the reason for the call. But then it would be chest pain that subsides when you reach the door of the hospital. It would probably cost more to police the calls than just paying the bills for them. I have been on both sides of this. I still had to pay. You can't get blood out of a turnip. I have not seen legislation do anything to help the EMS, and I do not think it will ever change. We will still run the calls and still treat everyone the same no matter what. We had a lady in Springfield that was transported 13 times in one day. She had abdominal pain every time. It was reported as abuse and nothing ever came of it. We still transported her again and again, and she still got treated the same every time. ParaGod_06 can vouch for it.

Comment by Chastity Jenkins on December 28, 2008 at 6:24pm

I would have to agree with Bob on this one. There are many people out there that does not abuse the system and I believe that those people should not have to pay. I really do not think making people pay a co-pay with solve anything they will come up with something different to get a free ride. What I do like is if the state has to pay the ambulance for their service after awhile the state will get tried of it and go after the patient to get their money.

Comment by Richard (Shaggy) Moon on December 28, 2008 at 3:12pm

Bob if you have insurance through an employer you have to meet a deductable, mine is $15. I do not always have the money either. This may force them to GET A JOB and pay the deductable or co pay. Most that abuse the systemdo not have a job or even want one. Yes I know they will always find a way to beat the system. That is just one less 12 of beer they buy for god's sake. This would obviously slow the calls for bull shi_ calls. Just like the rest of us call when you really need an ambulance. I also understand most receive money from the goverment too.If the state reviews the calls or run sheets, what they going to do? Tell them not to do it again, then you have not fixed the problem. I thik they should have to pay a co pay so you and I do not hear, "you have to take me in for my stubbed toe cause I have Medicaid" Example, I had a guycall at 3am because he had a charlie horse and could not sleep. We pull up on scene and he walks to the ambulance and says he wants to go to the hospital 2 blocks away. If he had to pay $15 for the trip he would have never called. Do you know what it would cost us? Not only the $15 but about 15 to 20% of the bill. They do not have to pay any more than the $15. Why give them a break and punish us just because we are trying to make a living. Most of the ones we pick up can work but don't. They choose to not have jobs. Brother we all have stories like mine but even if it was $5 or $10 they would still have to think do I really need to go. Maybe I just need to run for office. I have enough problems paying my bills let alone someone who is just too lazy to get a job. We are the ones who pay their bills and they do not care. Take money out of their pockets and I think there may be a change of heart at 3am. Charity is ok to a point but there has to be a line drawn.

Comment by Joe Barlow on December 28, 2008 at 10:53am

i like that idea bob. now who we gotta bribe to get it put in, it is illinois ya know

Comment by Bob Walker on December 28, 2008 at 8:49am

Shaggy that is a good idea, just one problem what about the ones that do not abuse the system and call 911 but do not have the money. The state should review the run sheets for medicaid patients and if it BS then pay the service and go after the patient for reimbursment...

Comment by Richard (Shaggy) Moon on December 25, 2008 at 10:05pm

I believe we should have a co pay for all the medicaid patients.( of just even $15) This would greatly reduce the amount of times we have to go to the same houses multipal times a week or even a day, just for them to get their meds filled. If they would have to pay a deductable or co pay, and get into their spending money, it might cut down on the calls. These calls are just so they have a CABULANCE. If there was some legislation for this, it would save the State of Illinois a lot of money, Not to mention us as well. I think there should be a bill presented for this. We have so many programs being cut by the state now, how about some of the ones that helps the tax payers get ahead. Health care Reform, how about Health Care Inform. Just simply inform them of what they will now have to pay as a co pay for a transport to the hospital.

Comment by Brad Smith on December 16, 2008 at 2:18pm

Our next governor should probably just go to prison for 4 to 8 years then come out and serve as our governor. Gets the hard stuff out of the way first!
Seriously, if the governor's campaign/war chest is not locked up by the feds quickly, Rod has a tremendous account to draw from and we all know what money can buy. Hopefully, with the subpoena and search warrant of the governor's Friends of Blago office that has been done. If not, then Ed his attorney has nothing to lose and everything to gain by drawing the entire criminal proceedings out until the campaign fund is dried up.

Comment by David Burkham on December 15, 2008 at 4:30pm

Blago has big huevos...problem is, 1st Transit is the contractor that approves ambulance payment for Medicaid. They are extremely if not impossible to work with. You have to wonder what they did to get their contract and how much Blago gets in kickback $$$.

Comment by Bob Walker on December 15, 2008 at 4:15pm

We should start with the frequent flyers who call 911 to go to the hospital for their drug fix, They should be charged with 911 abuse, their is a law. While we are at it medicaid needs a reform for all of those that want transport to the ER for a BS c/c while a brand new car sits in the drive. They only call because they have the medicaid express card. Problem is finding a politician with big enough gahonas to tackle it. LOL

Comment by steve on December 13, 2008 at 9:34am

This is not the first time that someone from office has been caught with there fingers in the cookie jar. I agree we need someone sympathetic to EMS and remember that they are very few private services left that could use a little help.

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