Ambulance fee of $130 reinstated in budget

Using an ambulance in New Brunswick will cost someone without health insurance $130 under the budget measures announced Tuesday by the Gallant government.

The province's waiver for the cost of ambulance service is being dropped, except for those who can't afford an ambulance ride, including people who are receiving social assistance.

In Moncton, the news was greeted with mixed reaction by area residents. Don Burke didn't like it.

"It hurts. I mean when you have universal health care, you expect that universality should also involve the ability to get to and from the hospital if you need it," he said.

"And you don't call an ambulance without need."

However, in his budget speech, Finance Minister Roger Melanson indicated there continues to be a problem with people calling an ambulance when they don't really need one.

"Non-urgent use of ambulance service continues to be an issue," said Melanson.

"Removing the ambulance waiver will assist in offsetting the cost of delivering the uninsured service as well as deter inappropriate use so ambulances are available for emergency calls."

Michael Hall of Moncton agreed with the government's rationale that those who can afford to pay for an ambulance should do so.

"I don't have a problem with it," said Hall. "If someone can pay they should pay. But I think that everyone has to be looked at on a case-by-case basis."