The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2005-04-13, Page 20Finance your child's education... renovate your home... plan a dream vacation... or consolidate your high interest credit card debt. 1 20 Exeter Times–Advocate Wednesday, April 13, 2005 Lucan Figure Skating Club presents "Shrek 2" The Lucan Figure Skating Club held its annual carnival at the Lucan Community Memorial Centre April 3.On hand were Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, above, who won silver at the Junior Worlds in Kitchener. At right: Attendance was strong at the Lucan Figure Skating Club's presentation of "Shrek 2" Above are Mathew Cassidy and Ashley deJong. (photos/Scott Nixon) Threat of legal action results in headway for ambulance billing By Pauline Kerr SPECIAL TO TI -IE T -A GODERICH — David Lew, head of land ambu- lance service in Huron County, reported to county council that meetings have taken place with a num- ber of other counties that owe Huron money for pro- viding ambulance service. Meetings with other counties are scheduled. Lew said Huron is owed an estimated $1 3 million from 2001-2003. County officials had met with people from the counties owing Huron money, but made little headway initially amid suggestions that the province's numbers were incorrect. "We've been subsidizing the counties around us," said Lew. "I hope the mat- ter gets resolved." The numbers situation has been straightened out for some time, but under- standably, counties owing money have not been in any hurry to settle up. Huron offered an incentive by threatening legal action, giving June 30 as a deadline. County Coun. Bernie MacLellan of Huron East said, "We've been at this (cross border billing) for three years." With the county commit- tee that oversees the mat- ter not meeting until Aug. 9, MacLellan wondered if something could be done so that action could be ini- tiated immediately after the deadline. Chief administrative offi- cer Larry Adams told county council that every- one had been "made aware" of the June 30 deadline during a recent meeting of county war- dens. He said the possibili- ty of Huron seeking assis- tance from the courts "has expedited" the matter. Other county news: Patient billing Huron County council passed a resolution sup- porting the city of Toronto's recommenda- tion to pursue the collec- tion of the $45 user fee for ambulance service. Lew told county council the actual cost of an ambulance call is $400. OHIP pays most of it but there is a $45 "co -pay- ment", of which $30 goes to the hospital and $15 to the health ministry. "We do the work, we should get the funds," said Lew. However, under leg- islation, only the hospital that receives the patient can bill. "The legislation is out of date," said Lew, noting it refers to hospitals that have since amalgamated or disappeared. He also noted the funds would help offset the difference between the promised 50 per cent funding from the province, and the lesser amount that is actually funded. County Coun. Deb Shewfelt of Goderich said the ambulance service in Toronto stands to gain $5 million Lew explained there are Hearted Community Credit Union Limited Be approved for a low interest Home Equity Line of Credit -41.414 Introductory 25%* Rate2 2 5 Limited Time Offer • Call or visit one of Heartland's Personal Lending Specialists today! Available 24 hours per day — call (519) 859-1266 * Annual rate of interest for intial four months of loan thereafter rates as low as Heartlands prime rate on approved credit. CLINTON - Head Office/Branch 48 Ontario Street (519) 482-3466 EXETER 118 Main Street N. (519) 235-0640 LISTOWEL Smith's Market Square (519) 291-6189 times when the $45 is not levied, for example, when patients are transferred between hospitals. This includes air ambulance service which costs $2,500 per hour. And most hospi- tals write off the $45 when patients are unable to pay. Two Great Choices. One IabulousDtter. 44.4 Your Choice! A FREE Trimmer or Truck Ramp. With the purchase of any Cub Cadet ride -on product, you get to choose either one of the above! But, do it today. This is a limited time offer. Get all the details from your servicing Cub Cadet dealer! USED MOWERS. S - Cub Cadet 1782D S - Cub Cadet 1864, Hydro 54"deck S - Cub Cadet 3186, 48" deck E - Cub Cadet 1315 E - Cub Cadet 1210 E - Cub Cadet 2165 NEW TRADES ARRIVING DAILY! $1950. $2800. $5695. $795. $1695. $2195. Vrinelt FARM EQUIPMENT SEAFORTH 527-0120 EXETER 235-2121 www.teamvincent.com Cith Cadet)I? Engineered for people who know better.