Calexico City Council to vote on ambulance fee increase proposal

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) - On Wednesday, November 4, the Calexico City Council will vote on a proposal to increase fire department ambulance service fees by 50%.

The proposal followed a study, conducted by a private company, found that Calexico's rates are below the regional average.

Each ambulance call currently costs $1,700, and the fee would increase to $2,500 per ambulance service, with 83% of these services being provided to patients with health insurance.

"Increasing the rates by 50% across the board on medications, fuel, gas and whatnot, it's going to help us here make up some of those costs and kind of financially get the ambulance stable enough here moving forward, so it can sustain itself and not having to rely heavily on the general fund for expenditures," said Chief Juan Contreras with the Calexico Fire Department.

This would help cover additional payments and the cost of operating a second ambulance for the city.