If I need the ambulance service I feel that I should pay for the service at whatever rate is appropriate and I should not have to pay for the service in the form of taxes and then get billed again when I need the service. People get upset when credit card companies double bill them it's the same thing.

Quoted from littlesal

facebook REMS:

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I was in in Rotterdam today and saw the mix of signage on the lawns.
Does Joe Citizen understand the Mohawk Ambulance Service business model. Hard billing versus soft billing.
When MAS transports a tax payer that doesn't have health insurance, that tax payer will receive a bill for this service. When they don't have the ...ability to pay it, or have failed to make a payment arrangement, that person will be taken to collections.
A dime per every $1,000.00 assessed. What's the average home assessment in Rotterdam, $150,00.00? The bill per year would be $15.00.
For my service located in Columbia County, uninsured patients are billed 638.50 for a Basic Life Support call and 7.50 per loaded mile. We have different rates for Medicare patients that are determined by CMS, but if you are not Medicare eligible, you will not be charged that rate. And of course, different rates for when the Paramedic is treating the patient.
Common Sense.
Good luck!
See More

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From each according to his ability, to each according to his need - Karl Marx

Quoted from littlesal

facebook REMS:

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I was in in Rotterdam today and saw the mix of signage on the lawns.
Does Joe Citizen understand the Mohawk Ambulance Service business model. Hard billing versus soft billing.
When MAS transports a tax payer that doesn't have health insurance, that tax payer will receive a bill for this service. When they don't have the ...ability to pay it, or have failed to make a payment arrangement, that person will be taken to collections.
A dime per every $1,000.00 assessed. What's the average home assessment in Rotterdam, $150,00.00? The bill per year would be $15.00.
For my service located in Columbia County, uninsured patients are billed 638.50 for a Basic Life Support call and 7.50 per loaded mile. We have different rates for Medicare patients that are determined by CMS, but if you are not Medicare eligible, you will not be charged that rate. And of course, different rates for when the Paramedic is treating the patient.
Common Sense.
Good luck!
See More

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"Does littlesal understand the Mohawk Ambulance Service business model."
does he understand that almost everyone already has very expensive health care coverage that will pay for ambulance service and that they don't want to pay twice?
does he understand that it's not the community's responsibility to pay for medical services for others?
does he understand that REM'S soft billing is the reason for their massive debt (that the tax payers are currently subsidizing against many of their wishes)?
does he understand that people are responsible for their own bills?
does he understand that many of the working residents are totally tapped out with existing taxes, mortgages, and household expenses due to either a loss of a job or underemployment?
does he understand that the vote is merely to establish an ambulance tax district, and in no way determines the provider in accordance with the letter sent to property owners?
does he understand that if the ambulance district is formed, and if REMS should be the provider, that there will no longer be any "soft billing" because they will be scrutinized beyond belief?
does he understand that the taxpayer will lose all control over an ambulance district's budget and that they can pay themselves whatever, provide whatever benefits, purchase whatever, all without tax payer input?
does he understand that if you accept a service you can't afford or refuse to develop a payment schedule, that it is theft of services and there should be consequences?
does he understand the monies provided to the Town from MAS can go into an escrow account to defray ambulance expenses for those in need without taxing the entire Town?

DOES HE UNDERSTAND!

Quoted Text

When MAS transports a tax payer that doesn't have health insurance, that tax payer will receive a bill for this service. When they don't have the  ability to pay it, or have failed to make a payment arrangement, that person will be taken to collections.

A dime per every $1,000.00 assessed. What's the average home assessment in Rotterdam, $150,00.00? The bill per year would be $15.00.

And what if a Rotterdam resident don't have insurance or make "arrangements" for payment? The problem is, in the past, the accounting was so poor, MANY didn't get billed, even if they DID have insurance.

Do you really think REMS won't send bills to collection services now (if you don't have insurance or ability to pay) ? Of course they will.

Or, in another unanswered scenario - will a new taxing district have the ability to put a lein on a property for an unpaid BAS ride?  What if you're not a property owner?

Let's use Ron as an example, shall we?  He's not paying any property tax in the town (directly - for the sake of argument). He also has no health insurance (for the sake of argument).  What happens when he needs an ambulance ride because he ate one too many McRib's and now has chest pain?   Who pays for that ride? Of course, he'll get a bill (hopefully).  Now, what if he doesn't pay? Who does?

That's right folks, Rotterdam taxpayers.

Quoted from gadfly

Because Mohonasen hasn't spent YEARS conspiring to form an unnecessary tax district...because Mohonasen had no choice...they
HAD to hold this vote to secure state funding...and because EVERYBODY IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT can vote.

Ron...the more you insist that the ambulance tax will pass, the more forum members and others will throw it in your face if it is
defeated....and they aren't going to buy your excuses that blame it all on those evil capitalists.

First, there is NOTHING evil about capitalists and I have never thought or said anything like that.

Everybody in the school district can vote because the state law regarding who can vote on school district
referendums is different from the state law regarding who can vote for the creation of a special tax district.

It all comes down to this -- do you keep making stupid comments because you CAN'T understand or
because you WON'T understand ????

Quoted from AVON

"Does littlesal understand the Mohawk Ambulance Service business model."
does he understand that almost everyone already has very expensive health care coverage that will pay for ambulance service and that they don't want to pay twice?
does he understand that it's not the community's responsibility to pay for medical services for others?
does he understand that REM'S soft billing is the reason for their massive debt (that the tax payers are currently subsidizing against many of their wishes)?
does he understand that people are responsible for their own bills?
does he understand that many of the working residents are totally tapped out with existing taxes, mortgages, and household expenses due to either a loss of a job or underemployment?
does he understand that the vote is merely to establish an ambulance tax district, and in no way determines the provider in accordance with the letter sent to property owners?
does he understand that if the ambulance district is formed, and if REMS should be the provider, that there will no longer be any "soft billing" because they will be scrutinized beyond belief?
does he understand that the taxpayer will lose all control over an ambulance district's budget and that they can pay themselves whatever, provide whatever benefits, purchase whatever, all without tax payer input?
does he understand that if you accept a service you can't afford or refuse to develop a payment schedule, that it is theft of services and there should be consequences?
does he understand the monies provided to the Town from MAS can go into an escrow account to defray ambulance expenses for those in need without taxing the entire Town?

DOES HE UNDERSTAND!

hey avon calling

i just copy and pasted that : not my words

Rumor has it that there are some rotterdam politicos that are against the forming of a taxing district. They say that they didn't mind supporting rems through the rotterdam general fund. But are against forming a taxing district.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm......wasn't that mertzie's original idea??

Quoted Text

Rumor has it that there are some rotterdam politicos that are against the forming of a taxing district. They say that they didn't mind supporting rems through the rotterdam general fund. But are against forming a taxing district.

Interesting rumor.  Are there any names associated?  I haven't heard of any from either major party who are on record as being against the
creation of the tax district.  The only ones who I heard speak against creating a tax district were the NNTP candidates in 2009.  McGarry
apparently continues to oppose the tax district based on his Letters to the Editor.  Where are Mertz and O'Connor today?

rumors don't mean anything ....

If you are for or against the tax district, stand up and speak your mind.

Quoted Text

rumors don't mean anything ....

If you are for or against the tax district, stand up and speak your mind.

I agree.  Take a stand.

I will even take a stand on the Mohonasen referendum.

Why  should millions be spent expanding Mohonasen's facilities .. while at the same time Schalmont is
considering closing facilities ??????

It seems to me that the two districts should be holding a referendum to merge ... not a referendum to
build more buildings in one district and holding meeting in another district to close buildings.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

First, there is NOTHING evil about capitalists and I have never thought or said anything like that.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

The basic premise of our American Revolution was that wanted to control our destiny ... we do NOT want
some for profit corporation controlling our ambulance service ... we are exercising our Constitutional
privilege to vote FOR a tax that we are willing to pay to support a service that we feel is essential.

Sound like your interpretation for the reason the American Revolution was fought was to control private capitalist industry.  You can substitute any business you want in you statement;  

"we don't want some for profit corporation controlling our _____________________..."  
Supermarkets(food service)?  
Shoe/Clothing Stores(shoe/clothing service)?  
Housing Contractors(Home service)
Hospitals(medical service)?  
Doctors(medical service)?  
Gas Stations(Energy Service)?  
Auto Companies?

Quoted from 713

  Where are Mertz and O'Connor today?

I hear they only come out on February 2rd.  If they see their shadow, it means there will be 2 more years of a Democrat monopoly.

Quoted from CICERO

Sound like your interpretation for the reason the American Revolution was fought was to control private capitalist industry.  You can substitute any business you want in you statement;  

"we don't want some for profit corporation controlling our _____________________..."  
Supermarkets(food service)?  
Shoe/Clothing Stores(shoe/clothing service)?  
Housing Contractors(Home service)
Hospitals(medical service)?  
Doctors(medical service)?  
Gas Stations(Energy Service)?  
Auto Companies?

As I said NOTHING like what you are implying  ... I can honestly state my opinion of your post : It is an
ignorant attempt to respond ....  you better go home, take your meds and a nap ...  and try again tomorrow

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

As I said NOTHING like what you are implying  ... I can honestly state my opinion of your post : It is an
ignorant attempt to respond ....  you better go home, take your meds and a nap ...  and try again tomorrow

I report - the viewer decides.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

The basic premise of our American Revolution was that wanted to control our destiny ... we do NOT want
some for profit corporation controlling our ambulance service... we are exercising our Constitutional
privilege to vote FOR a tax that we are willing to pay to support a service that we feel is essential.

You don't like for profit Ambulance services.  It's your own words.  I'm not making this up.  They stand alone.