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commentSome Loudoun supervisors are not prepared to accept Fairfax County's announcement that it will soon begin charging Loudoun residents for ambulance transport and EMS services without getting answers to a few questions.
The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors' Finance, Government Services and Operations Committee Wednesday will discuss whether to recommend the full board ask County Attorney Jack Roberts to look into the legality of the billing and any options that may be available to the Loudoun government or county residents.
Supervisor Stevens Miller (D-Dulles), whose district is one that borders Fairfax County and therefore whose residents may be most affected by the new fees, is bringing forward the item. The finance committee was briefed on the new fees by fire-rescue officials during its June 4 meeting.
"I need to know more about why," Miller said. "Because this means any Loudoun person [who needs emergency medical services] will be paying twice for the same service," he said noting that residents would be paying taxes to Loudoun and fees to Fairfax.
Miller said he understands Fairfax County officials' intent to treat all patients equally, but added he wants to find out whether there is an obligation to bill all riders. He is also interested in learning if there is any situation that could be worked out between the two counties where Loudoun residents could be reimbursed for the money they are charged.
"I'm not ready to just get a note from Fairfax that says, 'we're going to bill you; have a nice day,'" he said.
Beginning July 1, Loudoun residents requiring response from Fairfax County emergency service crews will be charged $400 for Basic Life Support services, $500 for Advanced Life Support services, $675 for Advanced Life Support 2 services and $10 per mile. Fairfax has been charging its residents and visitors for the service since April 1. Fairfax also currently charges all neighboring jurisdictions, with the exception of Loudoun.
Loudoun County crews do not charge for services when called to provide them.
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gumpytoad wrote on Jun 17, 2008 11:29 AM:
Incorrect: If someone in Loudoun calls 911 and Fairfax picks up the patient, then Loudoun has not provided the service. If Loudoun cannot step up to the plate then they should not be charging these people any Fire/Rescue taxes.
His suggested solution is poor too: Why not have the counties figure out how many times Loudoun could not send an ambulance and they can send Fairfax a check for the estimated charges. That way you eliminate the taxpayer having to be the middle person and suffering through more government bureaucracy.
Finally, the comment made by Loudoun333 is right. If an ambulance company does not bill from service (but taxes) then all the money that could reinvested in the local economy is going to someone else's county. "