Montgomery County is the only jurisdiction in the Washington region that does not charge ambulance fees, but that could change.

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett, who favors the fees as a way to generate revenue, submitted legislation to the County Council that would establish an ambulance fee.

According to a memo the county executive sent to Council President Roger Berliner, Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service would charge commercial insurers, Medicare and Medicaid to transport patients. Based on 2010 projections, Leggett's memo states, EMS reimbursements would generate $14 to $17 million annually.

In 2010, the County Council passed similar bill in a 5-4 vote, according to County Council records, but county voters rejected the fees in a referendum.

Two of the bill's supporters are no longer serving and the council's newest members — Councilmen Craig Rice, D-Germantown, and Hans Riemer, D-At Large — have said that they would not support the bill, WAMU has reported.

The ambulance fee bill is scheduled for a public hearing at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 8. 

Should the county charge an ambulance fee? Tell us in the comments.