All Sections All Sections The Free Press Subscribe
Articles Read Your Balance +tax

May 20, 2022

Winnipeg
5° C, Overcast

Full Forecast

Contact Us Subscribe Manage Subscription Chat with us
Log in Create Free Account Help Chat with us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertising Contact
    • Submit a News Tip
    • Subscribe to Newsletters

    • Finding your
      information

    • My Account
    • Manage my Subscription
    • Change Password

    • Grid View
    • List View
    • Compact View
    • Text Size
    • Translate

    • Log Out
    • Log in
    • Create Free Account
    • Help

    • Grid View
    • List View
    • Compact View
    • Text Size
    • Translate
  • Coronavirus Coverage
  • Replica E-Edition
    • About the E-Edition
    • Winnipeg Free Press
    • Community Review East
    • Community Review West
  • Above the Fold
  • Front page
  • Arts & Life
    • All Arts & Life
    • The Arts
    • Autos
    • Books
    • Book Club
    • Cannabis
    • Celebrities
    • Diversions
    • Puzzles
    • Environment
    • Events
    • Faith
    • Food & Drink
    • Your Health
    • Life & Style
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Science & Technology
    • TV
    • Travel
  • Business
    • All Business
    • Agriculture
    • Personal Finance
    • Manitoba's Top Employers
  • Canada
  • Local
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Columnists
    • Editorials
    • Editorial Cartoons
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Send a Letter to the Editor
  • Sports
    • All Sports
    • Amateur
    • Auto Racing
    • Blue Bombers
    • Curling
    • Football
    • Goldeyes
    • Golf
    • High School
    • Hockey
    • Horse Racing
    • Winnipeg Jets
    • Manitoba Moose
    • WHL
    • MLB
    • NBA
    • Olympics
    • Soccer
  • World
  • The Star
  • Reader BridgeNEW
  • WFP EventsNEW
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Advertising
    • Contact Us
    • Carrier Positions & Retailer Requests
    • FP Newspapers Inc.
    • History
    • Internships
    • Job Opportunities
    • News Café
    • Privacy Policy
    • Retail Locations
    • Staff Biographies
    • Terms and Conditions
  • Archives
  • Free Press Community Review
    • All Free Press Community Review News
    • East Edition
    • West Edition
    • Sports
    • Events
    • Contact Us
    • E-Editions
  • Classifieds
  • Contests
  • Coupons
    • All Coupons
    • Staples Copy & Print Coupons
    • Ripley's Aquariums Coupons
    • The Bay Coupons
    • Staples Canada Coupons
    • Altitude Sports Coupons
    • Nike Coupons
    • Tuango Coupons
    • Ebay Canada Coupons
    • Sport Chek Coupons
    • Roots Coupons
  • LifestylesNEW
    • All Lifestyles
    • Business Hub
    • Community
    • Drink & Dine
    • Life
    • Wellness
    • Whiskers & Wings
    • Sponsored Articles
  • Homes
    • Property Listings
    • Featured News
    • Renovation and design
    • New homes
    • Resale homes
  • Newsletters
  • Obituaries
  • Puzzles
  • Photo and Book store
  • More

©2022 FP Newspaper Inc.

Close
  • Quick Links

    • Coronavirus Coverage
    • Federal Election
    • Above the Fold
    • Home
    • Local
    • Canada
    • World
    • Classifieds
    • Special Coverage
    • Newsletters
    • Obituaries
    • Photo and Book store
    • Archives
    • Contests
    • Publications
    • Sponsored Content
    • Privacy Policy

    Ways to support us

    • Pay it Forward program
    • Subscribe
    • Day Pass
    • Support Faith coverage
    • Support Arts coverage
  • Replica E-Edition

    • About the E-Edition
    • Winnipeg Free Press
    • Community Review East
    • Community Review West

    Business

    • All Business
    • Agriculture
    • Personal Finance
  • Arts & Life

    • All Arts & Life
    • The Arts
    • Autos
    • Books
    • Cannabis
    • Celebrities
    • Diversions
    • Puzzles
    • Environment
    • Events
    • Faith
    • Food & Drink
    • Your Health
    • Life & Style
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Science & Technology
    • TV
    • Travel
  • Sports

    • All Sports
    • Amateur
    • Auto Racing
    • Blue Bombers
    • Curling
    • Football
    • Goldeyes
    • Golf
    • High School
    • Hockey
    • Horse Racing
    • Winnipeg Jets
    • Manitoba Moose
    • WHL
    • MLB
    • NBA
    • Olympics
    • Soccer
  • Opinion

    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Columnists
    • Editorials
    • Editorial Cartoons
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Send a Letter to the Editor

    Media

    • All Media
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos

    Homes

    • Property Listings
    • Featured News
    • Renovation and design
    • New homes
    • Resale homes
  • Canstar Community News

    • All Free Press Community Review News
    • East Edition
    • West Edition
    • Sports
    • Events
    • Contact Us
    • E-Editions
  • Coupons

    • All Coupons
    • Staples Copy & Print Coupons
    • Ripley's Aquariums Coupons
    • The Bay Coupons
    • Staples Canada Coupons
    • Altitude Sports Coupons
    • Nike Coupons
    • Tuango Coupons
    • Ebay Canada Coupons
    • Sport Chek Coupons
    • Roots Coupons
  • About Us

    • About Us
    • Advertising
    • Contact Us
    • Carrier Positions & Retailer Requests
    • FP Newspapers Inc.
    • History
    • Internships
    • Job Opportunities
    • News Café
    • Privacy Policy
    • Retail Locations
    • Staff Biographies
    • Terms and Conditions
Free Press Community News
  • Sports
  • Correspondents
  • Columns
  • Contact Us
  • Staff and Contributors
  • E-Editions
  • Events
  • Weekly Video Updates

Advertisement

Advertise With Us

Stroke survivor calling for end to ambulance fees

Sheldon Birnie By: Sheldon Birnie
Posted: 9:39 AM CDT Friday, Sep. 11, 2020

  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Print
  • Email
  • Save to Read Later
Karmel Schreyer (right) presents a petition to Elmwood MLA Jim Maloway calling for ambulance fees to be eliminated for disabled people and people who are pregnant.

SUPPLIED PHOTO

Karmel Schreyer (right) presents a petition to Elmwood MLA Jim Maloway calling for ambulance fees to be eliminated for disabled people and people who are pregnant.

An East Kildonan resident is fighting to see ambulance fees reduced or eliminated for Manitobans. Karmel Schreyer presented Elmwood MLA Jim Maloway with a petition in August which argues that forcing people with “innate physical conditions, such as those who are disabled or pregnant, to pay” fees is discriminatory and calls for “It’s a no brainer,” argues Karmel, a historian and author who had a stroke in 2015, a result of which is she sometimes experiences seizures. “The point is, it’s not a level playing field.” Two years ago, Karmel was walking with a friend through Assiniboine Forest when she had a seizure. An ambulance was called, and Schreyer was taken to Grace Hospital for treatment. When she later received an invoice for $500, she decided she needed to do something about what she feels is an unjust system. “I don’t know why I should have to pay for this access to health-care, when other people don’t have to,” the longtime northeast Winnipeg resident said. For Schreyer, the fact that many groups, including those with ambulatory coverage as part of a collective agreement, are exempt from ambulatory fees is unfair. Schreyer gave the Pallister government credit for reducing ambulance fees from $500 to $250, but she does not believe that goes far enough. “I understand money doesn’t grow on trees,” she said. “But in this case, I think it’s reasonable to expect that in Manitoba we can expect free ambulance service where it is provided now.” Her petition argues that “it is fair and reasonable that lawmakers provide the public with the same level of ‘universality and accessibility’ to health services they provide themselves.” “It’s a no brainer,” she repeated. “Removing the deterrent fees and providing free ambulance services to all Manitobans is an idea whose time has come, and the sooner we get there, the better,” Maloway told The Herald. Following her stroke, Schreyer said she has had time to reconsider how those who are disabled are treated in our society. “There was a time in history when disabled people were expected to stay in doors,” she said. “But this is 2020. The idea that disabled people may have to pay for their own ambulance fees is basically saying that they should stay in doors.” To go out or not to go out becomes a question or risk assessment, which Schreyer argues is fundamentally discriminatory. “It’s unreasonable,” she said. Schreyer would like to see her petition brought to the provincial legislature, something Maloway said he hopes to be able to do in October. She is also encouraging those in support of reducing or eliminating ambulatory fees to sign an online petition, as well. “I’m proud of the people who have been willing to support the initiative,” she said. “I hope it works.” For more information, visit change.org/endambulancefeesmb

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 11/9/2020 (616 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

An East Kildonan resident is fighting to see ambulance fees reduced or eliminated for Manitobans.
Karmel Schreyer presented Elmwood MLA Jim Maloway with a petition in August which argues that forcing people with "innate physical conditions, such as those who are disabled or pregnant, to pay" fees is discriminatory and calls for 
"It’s a no brainer," argues Karmel, a historian and author who had a stroke in 2015, a result of which is she sometimes experiences seizures. "The point is, it’s not a level playing field."
Two years ago, Karmel was walking with a friend through Assiniboine Forest when she had a seizure. An ambulance was called, and Schreyer was taken to Grace Hospital for treatment. When she later received an invoice for $500, she decided she needed to do something about what she feels is an unjust system.
"I don’t know why I should have to pay for this access to health-care, when other people don’t have to," the longtime northeast Winnipeg resident said.
For Schreyer, the fact that many groups, including those with ambulatory coverage as part of a collective agreement, are exempt from ambulatory fees is unfair. Schreyer gave the Pallister government credit for reducing ambulance fees from $500 to $250, but she does not believe that goes far enough.
"I understand money doesn’t grow on trees," she said. "But in this case, I think it’s reasonable to expect that in Manitoba we can expect free ambulance service where it is provided now."
Her petition argues that "it is fair and reasonable that lawmakers provide the public with the same level of ‘universality and accessibility’ to health services they provide themselves."
"It’s a no brainer," she repeated.
"Removing the deterrent fees and providing free ambulance services to all Manitobans is an idea whose time has come, and the sooner we get there, the better," Maloway told The Herald.
Following her stroke, Schreyer said she has had time to reconsider how those who are disabled are treated in our society.
"There was a time in history when disabled people were expected to stay in doors," she said. "But this is 2020. The idea that disabled people may have to pay for their own ambulance fees is basically saying that they should stay in doors."
To go out or not to go out becomes a question or risk assessment, which Schreyer argues is fundamentally discriminatory.
"It’s unreasonable," she said.
Schreyer would like to see her petition brought to the provincial legislature, something Maloway said he hopes to be able to do in October. She is also encouraging those in support of reducing or eliminating ambulatory fees to sign an online petition, as well.
"I’m proud of the people who have been willing to support the initiative," she said. "I hope it works."
For more information, visit change.org/endambulancefeesmb

An East Kildonan resident is fighting to see ambulance fees reduced or eliminated for Manitobans.

Karmel Schreyer presented Elmwood MLA Jim Maloway with a petition in August which argues that forcing people with "innate physical conditions, such as those who are disabled or pregnant, to pay" fees is discriminatory and calls for them to be discontinued.

"It’s a no brainer," argues Karmel, a historian and author who had a stroke in 2015, a result of which is she sometimes experiences seizures. "The point is, it’s not a level playing field."

Two years ago, Karmel was walking with a friend through Assiniboine Forest when she had a seizure. An ambulance was called, and Schreyer was taken to Grace Hospital for treatment. When she later received an invoice for $500, she decided she needed to do something about what she feels is an unjust system.

"I don’t know why I should have to pay for this access to health-care, when other people don’t have to," the longtime northeast Winnipeg resident said.

For Schreyer, the fact that many groups, including those with ambulance coverage as part of a collective agreement, are exempt from ambulatory fees is unfair. Schreyer gave the Pallister government credit for reducing ambulance fees from $500 to $250, but she does not believe that goes far enough.

"I understand money doesn’t grow on trees," she said. "But in this case, I think it’s reasonable to expect that in Manitoba we can expect free ambulance service where it is provided now."

Her petition argues that "it is fair and reasonable that lawmakers provide the public with the same level of ‘universality and accessibility’ to health services they provide themselves."

"It’s a no brainer," she repeated.

"Removing the deterrent fees and providing free ambulance services to all Manitobans is an idea whose time has come, and the sooner we get there, the better," Maloway told The Herald.

Following her stroke, Schreyer said she has had time to reconsider how those who are disabled are treated in our society.

The Free Press | Newsletter

Winnipeg Gardener

What you need to know now about gardening in Winnipeg. A monthly email from the Free Press with advice, ideas and tips to keep your outdoor and indoor plants growing.

Sign up for Winnipeg Gardener
Sign Up

"There was a time in history when disabled people were expected to stay in doors," she said. "But this is 2020. The idea that disabled people may have to pay for their own ambulance fees is basically saying that they should stay in doors."

To go out or not to go out becomes a question or risk assessment, which Schreyer argues is fundamentally discriminatory.

"It’s unreasonable," she said.

Schreyer would like to see her petition brought to the provincial legislature, something Maloway said he hopes to be able to do in October. She is also encouraging those in support of reducing or eliminating ambulance fees to sign an online petition, as well.

"I’m proud of the people who have been willing to support the initiative," she said. "I hope it works."

For more information, visit change.org/endambulancefeesmb

Sheldon Birnie

Sheldon Birnie
Community Journalist

Sheldon Birnie is a reporter/photographer for the Free Press Community Review. The author of Missing Like Teeth: An Oral History of Winnipeg Underground Rock (1990-2001), his writing has appeared in journals and online platforms across Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. A husband and father of two young children, Sheldon enjoys playing guitar and rec hockey when he can find the time. Email him at sheldon.birnie@canstarnews.com Call him at 204-697-7112

   Read full biography

Advertisement

Advertise With Us

  • Report Error
  • Submit a Tip
  • Refund

The Winnipeg Free Press invites you to share your opinion on this story in a letter to the editor. A selection of letters to the editor are published daily.

To submit a letter:
• fill out the form on this page, or
• email letters@freepress.mb.ca, or
• mail Letters to the Editor, 1355 Mountain Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R2X 3B6.

Letters must include the writer’s full name, address, and a daytime phone number. Letters are edited for length and clarity.

Advertisement

Advertise With Us

Top