Cash splash slashes ambulance fees

CASEY residents will benefit from a significant cut to Ambulance Victoria membership fees next month.
From 1 July, yearly Ambulance Victoria membership fees will be slashed in half, from $150 a year to $75 for families and from $75 to $37.50 for singles.
The cuts come after the state government delivered on its pledge to provide $241.9 million over four years to halve the cost of the fees.
About two million Victorians are members of the Ambulance Membership Subscription Scheme.
South Eastern Metropolitan Region MP Inga Peulich said that in the event of an emergency, Ambulance Victoria members do not have to pay transport costs which can exceed $900. “To treat and transport patients in emergencies is an expensive exercise,” Ms Peulich said.
“We know Victorian families are experiencing rising living costs and deserve cheaper access to our vital ambulance services,” she said.
Ms Peulich said the Baillieu Government would also deliver on its $151 million commitment to employ 340 additional ambulance staff over the next five years.