Discussion#3:Ambulance(Oct.22nd)

Today, Dr. Shindo (Ryouji), Ms. Kashiwagi (Reika), Ms. Yone (Saori), Shizuko (Sakiko) and Sachi discussed about whether we should pay for Ambulance.
In Japan, we can call ambulance for free. On the other hand, people need to pay some fees for ambulance in other countries such as America, Canada and Australia. These days, the number of people who call ambulance in stead of using taxi is increasing, and sometimes people who really need ambulance can't use because all ambulances are turning out. They think that they will be able to reduce the number of people who call an ambulance for their minor injury if people need to pay some money (5,000 yen).
Ms. Kashiwagi is a government officer, and she stated that now the government is paying most of the cost for ambulance and they are in the red. Ms. Yone who often calls an ambulance will be inconvenienced if she has to pay for ambulance because she is old and has a chronic. Shizuko lives in a countryside and she doesn't have enough income to pay a fee for medical treatment.

I came up with some ideas, but I couldn't explain it in plain words.
First, I wanted to ask Dr. Shindo if he can tell the difference between patients who really need an ambulance and who are minor injured. If doctors can recognize the level of the injury, they can decide if the patients need to pay or don't have to pay. However, as the discussers said, it is difficult to define what the border is.
Second, I thought of a new system for people who can't go to hospital easily.
I asked Shizuko how much did it cost to go to hospital by taxi. She said that she paid more than 5,000 yen to go there. I think there are many people who don't have means of transportation. For example, people who are too old to drive a car, or their houses are far from public transportation. In this system, those who are inconvenienced to take medical treatment can go to hospital cheaper than using taxi.
Then, people who really need an ambulance can use it for free, and people who have some troubles can go to hospital cheaply, too. And, people who used the ambulance instead of using taxi will pay a fee.
I think it is an essential service to have an ambulance come to our rescue for free. So, people who really need an ambulance should be able to use it for free.