ONLY ON NEWSCHANNEL 8

Montgomery County (web | news) , Md. - After a 5 to 3 vote, the Montgomery County Council rejected a proposal to charge for ambulance rides, finally putting the hot button issue to rest.

"I think ambulance fees are a bad public policy. I think they do result in some people hesitating to call," said Phil Andrews, Montgomery County Council president.

It was perhaps the last chapter in a long debate over the fees between the council and County Executive Ike Leggett. The council tabled a bill last November that would have given the county legal authority to charge insurance companies up to $800 for emergency transportation. But in May, Leggett proposed regulations that would require a person who uses a county ambulance to provide information for billing purposes.

"There was no sense no security that perhaps the insurance companies were not going to raise rates and recoup this in some way," said council member Nancy Navarro.

As the newest council member, she says her recent campaign played a big role in shaping her decision against the regulation. "Throughout the district we have a lot of retirement homes and there was a bit of concern."

But another concern for some council members is a lack of government funds. Montgomery County had a budget deficit of more than $500 million last fiscal year and an ambulance fee was looked upon as one way to recoup future losses.

"We have to make some really difficult decisions in public office and this is one I was willing to contemplate, but it doesn't seem the majority of the council supports it," said council member George Leventhal.

The majority of council members said they felt it was out of their jurisdiction to enforce such regulations.

 Email To Friend