Ambulances start charging extra for obese patients

VanityGirl · Oct 23, 2009

An interesting story popped up today about obese people being charged more for riding in an abulance in the future.

The reason they may begin to charge is because it's much harder to move someone that's say, 400 pounds, versus someone who's of normal body weight. We should all know by now that obesity is a probably not only in America, but in many countries around the world.*

The ambulances that must pick up and move the obese patients must be specially equipped if they want to easily and safely move them. Of course, some people of the community believe this is just another way of discriminating against those who are obese.

I guess my main thoughts would be, do you think that the obese should be charged extra for their hospital ride?

Link to Story: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gIWjgsj05Z5cpvcm-V2Ikr_8YuiAD9BGA5KG1

* Note: This data is about 5-6 years older, which means the obesity rates for the countries may have increased since then.(http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/hea_obe-health-obesity)

Desert Tiger · Oct 23, 2009

Pretty much.

I mean, you can call it a health condition all you like, but at the end of the day it's really, really not.

EDIT: But yeah guys. If you do get a health service like us Brits do, look at all the wonderful things you'll be spending your money on.

Better yet are the smokers who get new lungs bought for them with NHS money then smoke those away, too.

McNinja · Oct 23, 2009

Well, yeah they should. Maybe they should lose some weight. and then maybe if they lost the weight they might not even have to go to the hospital in the first place?

If it costs more to move them, they can charge more.

siege_1302 · Oct 23, 2009

I'm sorry, but this made me laugh so hard, I lost calories.

Anyone in the UK remember that programme that was pushing for a 'fat tax'? They had posters up on the London underground and everything.

'Keep running fatty: fat tax is coming'

dmase · Oct 23, 2009

If they have to buy special equipement to lift an obese person safely onto an amublance sure, its a way of avoiding a law suit, and if you need to use that equipment then you have to pay the price.

Wadders · Oct 23, 2009

siege_1302 said:
Anyone in the UK remember that programme that was pushing for a 'fat tax'? They had posters up on the London underground and everything.

'Keep running fatty: fat tax is coming'

Oh my God. Thats like the best idea ever!
Why the hell hasn't it happened?!

cuddly_tomato · Oct 23, 2009

This would really depend if there was an underlying medical condition which made them obese or whether they were obese through their own efforts.

It is more or less the same as charging drunk drivers for their inevitable hospital bills.

ryai458 · Oct 23, 2009

ya i could see this and let me tell you im a lifeguard and its very difficult to get someone who weighs more than two hundered pounds on to a back board

orangebandguy · Oct 23, 2009

All seems like a convienient way of getting rid of diseased fat people. A fat person can't afford to ride to the hospital to have life saving surgery. I sense some kind of super secret police work going on here.

VanityGirl · Oct 23, 2009

ryai458 said:
ya i could see this and let me tell you im a lifeguard and its very difficult to get someone who weighs more than two hundered pounds on to a back board

Dang, I bet so.

maxturbo211 · Oct 23, 2009

are they genetically fat or is it self-induced?

Amnestic · Oct 23, 2009

Considering just over 1/3rd of adult Americans are obese, I don't see the problem here.

McNinja · Oct 23, 2009

cuddly_tomato said:
This would really depend if there was an underlying medical condition which made them obese or whether they were obese through their own efforts.

It is more or less the same as charging drunk drivers for their inevitable hospital bills.

Genetics plays a part in how quickly people lose and gain weight but it's not like it happens uncontrollably. When was the last time working out and eating right solved a medical condition?

Less. Much less. actually it's not really the same thing. Going to the hospital and being charged more because you're obese isn't the same as getting drunk and being charged for a hospital bill. Drunks aren't harder to get into an ambulance.

Raven's Nest · Oct 23, 2009

ryai458 said:
ya i could see this and let me tell you im a lifeguard and its very difficult to get someone who weighs more than two hundered pounds on to a back board

There is surely some legislation stating that you shouldn't be expected to do it if it causes you harm?

Not saying there should be, but I wouldn't be suprised...

On topic: Didn't the US have to upgrade all the school buses so they could handle the increasing weight of it's occupants? Or was that just rumour...

Seems like the same funding should be used for ambulances too.

Disaster Button · Oct 23, 2009

Yeah they should be charged extra.

It's usually their fault their fat so the extra work going in to get them wherever should cost more. Especially when using a crane.

cuddly_tomato · Oct 23, 2009

McNinja said:
cuddly_tomato said:

This would really depend if there was an underlying medical condition which made them obese or whether they were obese through their own efforts.

It is more or less the same as charging drunk drivers for their inevitable hospital bills.

Click to expand...

Genetics plays a part in how quickly people lose and gain weight but it's not like it happens uncontrollably. When was the last time working out and eating right solved a medical condition?

Less. Much less. actually it's not really the same thing. Going to the hospital and being charged more because you're obese isn't the same as getting drunk and being charged for a hospital bill. Drunks aren't harder to get into an ambulance.

Nope, but drunks create the problem that requires the ambulance. Resources have to be diverted from other services to solve the problem - a problem that is avoidable. Most obesity is the same. It is simply caused by people eating too much and not doing enough excersise. This then makes problems which impacts upon the lives of people who eat sensibly and do keep their weight reasonable.

siege_1302 · Oct 23, 2009

On reflection, if you order a package the courier will charge extra for weight. It should be the same with ambulances. Also planes.

Amnestic · Oct 23, 2009

siege_1302 said:
On reflection, if you order a package the courier will charge extra for weight. It should be the same with ambulances. Also planes.

United Airlines is way ahead of you on that one. [http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/04/17/earlyshow/living/travel/main4952134.shtml]

ma55ter_fett · Oct 23, 2009

Its going to happen one way or the other. I mean, I don't really agree with the (usually) high price they charge for ambulance service in the first place (which depending on your insurance may not be covered).

ryai458 · Oct 23, 2009

ravens_nest said:
ryai458 said:

ya i could see this and let me tell you im a lifeguard and its very difficult to get someone who weighs more than two hundered pounds on to a back board

Click to expand...

There is surely some legislation stating that you shouldn't be expected to do it if it causes you harm?

Not saying there should be, but I wouldn't be suprised...

On topic: Didn't the US have to upgrade all the school buses so they could handle the increasing weight of it's occupants? Or was that just rumour...

Seems like the same funding should be used for ambulances too.

ya i dont know about legistlation but if i think it would be better to just keep them where they are and wait for EMT's thats fine

Ambulances start charging extra for obese patients

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