Ambulance Transport Fees to Double in Houston, Tx.

HOUSTON --

The Houston City Council has voted to more than double the current ambulance transport fee.

It will go from $415 to $1,000. The transport would also include a $7.50 per mile charge.

James Murray was transported by ambulance between hospitals last week. While he's on Medicare and doesn't pay the bill, he said the higher fee will affect a lot of patients.

"I don't see why they have to pay any extra to get here to the hospital when you've got to pay tens of thousands of dollars to get anything done once you get here," said Murray.

Alfred Moran is part of the city's Department of Administration and Regulatory Affairs.

The suggestion was made to that department to raise ambulance fees.

Moran said each transport actually costs the city $1,750. The balance comes from the city's general fund which is money from taxes.

Moran also said 90 percent of the collections are from Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance, so the people mostly affected are the uninsured.

"We're not going aggressively after anyone who can't afford it. We're trying to get people who can afford it to pay," said Moran.

City Council Member Jolanda Jones voted against the hike.

"When our ambulance costs get jacked up, the insurance companies would probably stick it to the people that have insurance and raise their rates," said Jones.

The city said the last time the fees changed was in 2002. City officials said ambulance rates have been well below the national average of $1,000.

Dallas residents pay about $800 per ambulance transport. In New York and Chicago, it is around $700.