But I wonder how many more people would die because they are on a pension, or very low income, and scared to pay for an ambulance - so ignore serious problems until it's too late? I do not like timewasters any more than the next person but to me blaming the public - even the a-holes among them - is not the solution and never will be. If we have billions to waste on illegal wars, why don't we have enough money for an ambulance service that allows for human imperfections and stupidity? Our politicians are allowed to make mistakes that cost far more lives in the long run than even the stupidest stubbed-toe callout. Getting the grunts - you, me, the public and EMTs - arguing over who is at fault and who needs to buck their ideas up neatly allows the government to avoid the realities of under-investment.