Nova Scotia COVID-19 survivor asks why the province won’t cover ambulance fees
“Chender says Nova Scotians shouldn’t have to pay ambulance fees, especially during COVID-19.
‘If you are going to ensure that people are able to call an ambulance, and are not penalized for contracting COVID, particularly essential workers, then there should not be a time frame on that,’ said Chender.
The NDP has tabled a bill under the Emergency Health Services Act, prohibiting the charging of fees to individuals who are ill and need ambulance services to access medical support.
‘This is not an isolated incident and it’s not a COVID-specific situation,’ said Chender. ‘We have people who have approached us and MLAs from across the province, all the time, because people can’t pay their ambulance fees.’
Chender said she’s reached out to the Department of Health and Wellness regarding Pettipas’s case with the hope the government will remove the time limit and not charge any Nova Scotians who called for an ambulance for COVID-19 reasons.”