Riddle Me This

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

Why are the Air Ambulance and Lifeboat services charities and not funded by the tax payer while the coastguard and border patrols are?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Why are the Air Ambulance and Lifeboat services charities and not funded by the tax payer while the coastguard and border patrols are?

Coast Guard and Border Patrol are protective services typically funded by governments.

Air Ambulance and Lifeboat are subscription services funded by people who feel they have a need for them (like insurance).

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

Coast Guard and Border Patrol are protective services typically funded by governments.

Air Ambulance and Lifeboat are subscription services funded by people who feel they have a need for them (like insurance).

But why would an Air Ambulance survive on handouts whilst driven ambulances don't?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

But why would an Air Ambulance survive on handouts whilst driven ambulances don't?

Don't understand the difference. If you use an ambulance, it costs. Whether it's under a medical plan you have or if you pay separately for it.

 

[lanejudy]

I’m not sure “most” are charities, but rather private for-profit businesses. In some areas — mainly large cities — the local fire department may also offer paramedic/ambulance (land) services, but at least where I live they are separate services. Hospitals may have lifeflight helicopters, but again not most. Water rescue around here is a specific fire company with special training. Emergency medical transportation is a business and charges for the service. Sometimes insurance covers the cost.

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

Don't understand the difference. If you use an ambulance, it costs. Whether it's under a medical plan you have or if you pay separately for it.

I think I've spotted a difference. Here in the UK we are fairly socialist. The ambulance, health services and indeed most bodies are ALL state funded. If you need ambulance transport or elective surgery, it's on the State. The Air Ambulance and RNLI are pretty much the ONLY bodies that sap off the goodwill of the individual, certainly the only ones that are life saving. I guess the Guide Dogs are a donation funded business though... although again, they act to never charge a person a penny.