Ok, let's say 3 people with reasonable salaries, $10k a month. Equipment and a car even though is costly is used for long period, let's say $500k over 5 years, that's $8.3k a month. Medications are expendable, because the more load an ambulance has (and medication usage) the more revenue it brings, but ok, let's add $10k a month for resupplying medications, plus other small expenses it's total $50k a month. In the situation described by rconti (5 miles) it probably took them less than an hour for revenue of $3400, let's say an hour, and let's say they have average load of 3 such calls a day (not really a heavy load). It's more than $300k a month in revenue. So, what's the reason for $250k difference?
I'm not defending the cost! Just saying you can't look at it and say 'that's more than the cost of the vehicle' because it's not about the cost of the vehicle.
Yes, I understand. That's why I wanted to take a look at components of the long term cost, not just one ride. And I'm really curious what's the cause for the difference.
I think ultimately the system is fcked across the board, private interests and greed combined with legal corruption (lobbying) to get their way and government guided by the people that line their own pockets. Weather it is pre-Obama, Obama or whatever Donald is planning all the pricing is insane compared against <take-your-pick> of any other developed country. None of the justification holds much weight, even "cross-subsidization" I don't see affecting it to this extent unless only 1 in 20+ actually ever pay anything.
