Pre-hospital medical care in this country has become extremely expensive for patients to utilize. This goes for ground ambulance transport as well as air ambulance for serious needs. Sick and injured people are delaying the activation of 9-11 in the presence of serious medical emergencies due to fear of financial strain. This problem is very serious among the working class citizens. On the other side, citizens that obtain government funded health insurance are systemically abusing the 911 system for matters that are not emergent and bogging down the response of ambulances for the people who are severely injured or ill and their ambulance coverage is fully covered by insurance agencies.
Most ambulance services are extremely understaffed and which is hindering the care of citizens who are in need of medical care when they need it the most. The understaffing comes from many modalities but the main ones in this profession are due to EMS providers being grossly underpaid, agencies not being allowed the budget to properly pay their employees, and thus EMS providers are leaving the profession due to increased burn out and mental fatigue.
Access to medications, blood products and medical equipment are becoming increasingly more expensive and due to budget constraints, EMS agencies are struggling to keep their ambulances stocked with essential life saving medications and supplies. Essential medications, blood transfusions and medical devices are imperative to keep improve the survival rate of the patients that EMS personnel encounter everyday.
Alternative healthcare options would be helpful for many patients who are ill, that do not require emergent intervention by ambulance or emergency room personnel. Additional funding for pre-hospital agencies to conduct proper employee training, increase pay and purchase necessary supplies is crucial to the health and wellness of our communities.