Cutting down emergency bills in Salinas
A program was established in April to help reduce the financial burden for Salinas residents dealing with an emergency.
Salinas says its ready to lower costs after hearing from concerned residents who couldn’t foot the bill.
“I received a $350 dollar bill from the fire department, from the city and I just thought it was unfair,” said Juan Morales who receives MediCal.
When the Salinas Fire Department responds the visit will cost you $350 bucks.
“That’s a lot of money if it’s really a true emergency and the person doesn’t have the money, said Maria Mateo who is on Medicare. “It’s the life of the person so it shouldn’t be like that.”
This burden is now being lifted after city leaders move ahead with a resolution cutting the bill in half or up to 75% for Medicare, MediCal and VA recipients.
“In each of those cases where there is an income that matches up with the Department of Health and Human Services income criteria then they’ll be a reduction,” said Salinas City Manager Ray Corpuz.
For those who fall under the poverty line, the fee will completely be forgiven.
(10:42:41) “We feel that this is the right track,” said Corpuz. “We’ve looked at other cities, we think this meets the test for reasonability and also compassion and fairness.”
For Morales this is music to his ears.
“They’re going to send an application to apply for a waiver and so I’m hoping they can waive that off because that’s a big bill for me and my situation,” said Morales.
Those on a fixed income could be impacted the most from the fee reduction.
“I live in a 62 plus community and all the time the ambulance comes all the time because the person faints and is drinking a lot, falls down on the floor,” said Mateo.
Even though costs will be reduced, some feel any amount is still too expensive.
“When I do have an emergency I liked to not have a bill when I’m well,” said Morales. “Having to pay that bill to pay off its still going to be a burden.”
The city says the change will take affect in the next couple of weeks.
More than 50 jurisdictions in California have adopted the same program.
