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Is charging a $300 fee for calling 9-1-1 a real solution to budget woes? The Tracy, Calif., City Council seems to think so, as evidenced by a Feb. 16 vote. After the story hit the national news, though, the city tried to distance itself from the furor, calling the charge an Emergency Medical Services Cost Recovery Fee Program. A statement on the city Web site says, “The City of Tracy does not charge for calls made to the 9-1-1 system, and there is no plan to do so.”

However, that statement cannot obscure the fact that the city has hired ADPI-Intermedix, based in Oakland, to bill for fire department services any time it responds to a medical call before the ambulance service. Tracy residents will be charged a $300 fee for ALS or BLS services, as defined by the California Health and Safety Code (Sections 1797.52 and 1797.60), rendered by the fire department. Non-residents will be charged $400.

Only a few insurance companies will pay such fees. Medicare and Medicaid are among those that won’t pay.

One budget-saving option under consideration would allow residents to pay an annual $48 fee, which would allow them to call 9-1-1 as many times as necessary. 

According to several news reports, the city is currently facing a $9 million budget deficit, and the fees are intended to help offset that deficit.

Fire Division Chief David Bramell says, “EMS fees are based on the philosophy of funding ‘public good’ services (those benefiting everyone) with broad general taxes and ‘private good’ services (those benefiting specific users) with appropriate user fees. General tax revenue continues to provide the vast majority of funding for fire stations, equipment and staffing while these user fees will supplement specific equipment and training required for those individuals who provide emergency medical services to residents and non-residents.”

Unfortunately, the practicalities of paying for a service may just weigh so heavily that people who truly need the help will forego it. In her blog on American Thinker,  Jeannie DeAngelis says, “For many, dying may be a more attractive option than paying.” That’s an attitude that public safety communications personnel have been fighting for decades through education and community outreach programs.

The state of the economy is demanding creative solutions for funding public services. I’m not sure this is the best solution. What do you think? Let us know at PSCeditor@apcointl.org.

Learn more from the following stories:

• Tracy Residents Now Have To Pay For 911 Calls, CBS 13, Sacramento Area local news
• Council chooses paramedic fee collector, the Tracy Press
• Tracy residents to pay for 9-1-1 calls, Cal Coast News
• Charging residents for calling 9-1-1?  American Thinker Blog   

About the Author
Keri Losavio is the editor of  Public Safety Communications and has been involved in writing and editing for public safety agencies since 1998. Contact her via e-mail at losaviok@apcointl.org. 

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed herein are those of the columnist and do not necessarily reflect the views of APCO International.