Sumner Shortcuts

Item # 34 on the list of ways you’re paying for higher gas prices is… increased ambulance service costs.

Hip, hip, hooray!  Because ambulances aren’t nearly expensive enough!

So what used to cost several hundred dollars will now cost $100 more.  And it’s all because of that demon of rising oil prices.  So now in addition to paying higher UPS and FedEx charges, higher electricity charges, higher grocery costs, and all the rest of the crap you’re paying more for thanks to gasoline… you can add ambulance service.

I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating:  how many different ways and times do I have to pay and re-pay for rising gas prices before the citizens of this country revolt?

I can almost picture the budget meeting where this decision was made:

“Hey, we need more money.”

“I know… let’s take one of the most expensive and unaffordable services we offer–one that’s vitally needed by everyone–and raise the cost another $100.”

“Genius!”

What’s sad is that this increase will most harm the people who need this service the most.  I remember a former employee of mine who had broken his leg goofing off at work, begging and pleading with me NOT to call an ambulance.  I mean, here’s this leg… clearly broken… and a guy in serious pain… and yet he knows he’s unable to pay the ambulance bill that will result from me dialing 911 so he’s asking me not to.  Sad. And that was before this latest increase.

Hopefully it will be a long time before any of us need to use the Sumner County ambulance service.