In its regular "You Asked Us" column, the Toronto Star asked its
readers June 1st: Should ambulance services be privatized? The response was
overwhelmingly negative: Eighty-four percent of callers said no. The newspaper received
390 calls on the issue.
Here are some of the
comments made by callers, as reported June 3rd in the Star:
"No. Privatization of medical services in the U.S. is a nightmare. In
February, my wife needed an ambulance in San Diego. We were charged $450 American for a
short, three-mile ride to the hospital. A year previously, in Pickering, I was charged $45
Canadian for a similar ride."
"No. At 58 years of age, I remember when ambulances were private.
I can remember being 14 years old and shortly before my father died, an ambulance sitting,
waiting to take him to hospital. I had to run around to the neighbours to get the money
before they would start their engines."
"No. It’s time that paramedics and ambulances were
recognized as part of our health-care system, not just transportation. Are fire and police
services privately run?"
"Absolutely not! Ambulances are life or death for many people. It
shouldn’t be made into a money-making venture. The bottom line will be profit, not
prompt service."
