What is the worth of a human life?
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If you are an Oak Park resident and aren’t too sick, it’s $500.
That’s the cost of a “basic life support” Oak Park ambulance call. Nonresidents are worth a bit more: $700.
The village wants to up the cost.
As reported in the Oak Leaves, the proposal would raise ambulance fees by about $100.
But cost also would depend on the level of medical service needed.
The first level of advanced life services would cost residents $750, while the second level would be $900.
Fire Chief Tom Ebsen told the village board Oak Park’s ambulance fees are below what other towns charge and, accordingly, should be raised.
Who could argue against the necessity of ambulance service?
But have you ever stopped to ask why there is any fee at all for ambulance service? Shouldn’t ambulance service be paid for by our local taxes, as are police and fire services?
Are we one day going to be charged a fee when we call police – so much for a burglary, another amount for an assault?
Are we going to have to pay a fee for the fire department to strike a fire in our home?
Don’t scoff.
In ancient Rome, the fire department was owned by Marcus Licinius Crassus, said to be the richest man of his time. If your house caught fire, you had to deal with him. His crews would arrive at the fire and offer to put out the blaze for a fee or buy the property for a song. No deal? No help putting out the fire.
Similar instances have occurred in other times in other places.
I’d not like to see that happen in our time and place.
That ambulance service costs the village money is beyond doubt. What can be argued is who pays and how?
At the village board meeting at which fees were discussed, Trustee Bob Tucker said, “At first, it may seem a little cold-hearted, but these services are expensive to provide.”
How much more expensive and stressful for a family in the middle of a medical crisis?
The new ambulance fee structure is expected to receive board approval at a future meeting.
And I know there is no chance for eliminating ambulance fees.
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What I ask is for all of us to think about government by fees and fines and what kind of a village – or country – that creates.
I know it is heresy in these conservative times to say it, but some services should be provided by the government and paid for with taxes.
Paul Sassone is a freelance columnist for Pioneer Press.