The Sacramento City Fire Department has asked permission to increase the cost of a trip to the hospital by $650 .
Deputy Chief Chad Augustin says that includes a $375 increase for existing services and a new $283 "First Responder Fee."
With the additional charges, a trip to the hospital would cost $2,100.
Augustin says it has been five years since the last rate increase and the fire department routinely comes up short, even with tax-funded subsidies.
"Currently we bill around $70 million a year for ambulance transport," Augustin says. "We collect around $18 million. We have never sent anyone to collections."
The fire department is also asking the council to approve a process for the city manager to waive all or some of the fees.
Augustin says the increase would go into effect July 1. It would generate about $2 million annually.
Sac Metro Fire recently approved similar increases. Folsom and Cosumnes Fire are expected to propose increases soon.
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