You are certainly right that a large percentage of our population ?people on the periphery? are very frequently unable to meet the meager fees that we tender for ?non-emergency? transfers. That will explain why our receivables are so astronomical! We certainly do make a point of quoting the billable runs, however, as can be attested to by literally hundreds of Belizeans. Contrary to the statements made in the above-mentioned article, we have never refused emergency transfers whether paid for or not. Does it seem fair that the private institutions get to demand their payment up front for the imaging and other advance tests that the patient requires, while we can not ask that that same patient help us defray cost by contributing a portion of our expense for the non-emergency transfer? Or is it that we became accustomed to living with so much less in the area of pre-hospital emergency care for all those years, that now we would prefer to revert to the services of those times rather than try to find ways of making this organization not only survive, but grow? Sincerely, (Signed) Yvette Burks National Coordinator
