Shout Out: Should Montgomery County Charge Ambulance Fees?

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.