Imagine being unable to breathe, suffering pain, or lying seriously injured — and being more afraid of the ambulance bill than the medical emergency itself.
It is happening across America.
One uninsured man experiencing severe breathing problems refused to call 911 because he feared the ambulance cost. His reported final words were:
“If I die, I die.”
He died alone.
In another heartbreaking case, a woman whose leg was badly injured in a subway accident begged bystanders not to call an ambulance because she could not afford the cost.
No person should ever have to choose between financial ruin and survival.
Yet many Americans avoid calling emergency services because ambulance rides can cost thousands of dollars — even for insured patients.
Delays in emergency care can mean:
- Death from heart attacks or strokes
- Permanent disability
- Severe complications
Emergency medical care should be based on urgency, not income.
We are calling on healthcare leaders and policymakers to:
- Reduce ambulance transportation costs for low-income and uninsured patients.
- Increase transparency in ambulance billing.
- Expand financial assistance and payment relief programs.
- Prevent surprise ambulance bills during emergencies.
- Increase public funding for emergency medical transportation services.
Ambulances save lives. Fear of debt should not cost lives.
Addressed to: U.S. Congress, the Department of Health and Human Services, and national healthcare policymakers.
Sign this petition to support affordable emergency transportation for everyone.
This is completely insane. My friend had a heart attack and was scared to even get in the truck because she knew the bill would destroy her. People shouldnt have to check their bank account before calling for help!