Tracy, California Residents Could Pay $300 for 911 Calls; This Applies to Medical Emergencies

911 calls for medical emergencies in Tracy, California are going to cost residents $300 each (according to The Christian Science Monitor) if they don't subscribe to a yearly service that will cost them $36-$48, depending on income. And for non-residents of Tracy, California, it will cost $400 for each 911 call that's a medical emergency, according to the accompanying video at Global Grind. Other emergencies like police calls aren't yet on this agenda for the city, but where the fire department administers medical treatment is when the charge is to come. No matter how much financial straits a city is in, charging people exorbitantly for 911 calls is an absolute outrage. Residents will be mailed a card to choose their option before this insane plan is scheduled to be implemented later on in the year.

911 Calls for Medical Emergencies to Potentially Cost Tracy, California Residents $300 Each: The Height of City Hall Nonsense

"City Hall" has done a lot of stupid things over the course of human history, but this ranks right up there as the stupidest thing I've ever heard. The Christian Science Monitor article states that the city has a shortfall of millions, but that doesn't matter. 911 calls are a basic service that Americans, for the most part, have become used to being able to have without being charged "extra." There are those who abuse it, but they should be dealt with individually. There are other ways to deal with shortfalls in the budget without gauging people for potentially life-saving service.

What if a resident sees a person having a heart attack or other medical emergency on their property, on the street or in the office and hasn't paid the $36-48 annual fee? Will some people think twice about calling, or is this what Tracy's City Hall wants? It knows that people will be more concerned about the person in peril and then can gauge somebody for $300 ($400 if one's not a resident) per 911 call if the call site hasn't paid the annual fee.

What about cell phone usage? Many families have a residential phone and various cell phones in the house. How is this going to be policed fairly? Does Tracy, California realize the can of worms it's opening?

911 Calls in Tracy, California to Possibly Cost Residents $300: A Can of Worms That's Going to Open

The powers-that-be that voted for this measure are putting filthy lucre over people in the most callous way possible. What if some residents get confused and thinks that all 911 calls will cost them $300, and then sees a crime being committed? Will some people forego calling because they don't want to be charged $300 via their wrong perceptions?

If Tracy, California wants to charge households and even local businesses about a dollar a week for 911 service, that's bad enough, but it shouldn't go any farther than that. The people who live there are already paying through various taxes and other fees for emergency services. $300 and $400 for 911 calls is just plain insanity. This is an aspect of health care reform that should be addressed, too.

One can only hope more American cities don't start copycatting Tracy, California. Other California cities like Fullerton and Costa Mesa have adopted these measures, according to the Christian Science Monitor article.

Sources:

Daniel B. Wood, Charges for using EMS: a California town's plan sows confusion: http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2010/0223/Charges-for-using-EMS-a-California-town-s-plan-sows-confusion, February 23, 2010, Christian Science Monitor

"presidentchit", City Charging For 911 Calls! $300 Per Call:
http://globalgrind.com/channel/news/content/1397725/City-Charging-For-911-Calls-300-Per-Call/, February 18, 2010, Global Grind