Advocates are calling on the Provincial government to take leadership in addressing the financial barriers associated with ambulance fees, particularly as they impact low-income older adults, Indigenous people, and newcomers across Manitoba.
For those without private insurance, ambulance fees in the city of Winnipeg are $250. This is a price not everyone can afford.
Through their work on the front lines, many health care providers have seen how these fees can deter individuals from accessing emergency medical services when they are needed most. Older adults living on limited incomes, Indigenous people, and newcomers facing financial and systemic barriers are especially affected. The result is often delayed care, worsening health conditions, and increased strain on the health care system.
This issue reflects a broader challenge related to equitable access to care. Emergency medical services
are a critical component of the healthcare system, and access to them should not be influenced by a
person’s financial situation.
When people delay accessing emergency care, health concerns can become more serious, resulting in more complex interventions, increased hospital visits, and greater pressure on our health care system. Removing or reducing this barrier would support better health outcomes while also contributing to a more effective and sustainable system.
As a collaboration between the Manitoba Health Coalition (MHC) and SEED Winnipeg’s Manitoba Financial Empowerment Policy Committee, we are calling on the provincial government, which funds emergency services in Winnipeg, to explore policy options to reduce or eliminate ambulance fees for individuals experiencing financial vulnerability.
This could include expanding coverage, implementing income-based exemptions, or working collaboratively with municipalities and Shared Health to develop a more equitable funding model.
Addressing this issue would improve health outcomes, reduce downstream healthcare costs, and align
with Manitoba’s ongoing efforts to build a stronger, more accessible health system.
“Together, we can help ensure that people don’t have to weigh the cost of an ambulance against their health and safety. Emergency services should be available when they are needed, not based on someone’s ability to pay,” says MHC’s provincial director Noah Schulz.