The question over whether to charge fees for using an ambulance in Montgomery County turned into the most contentious issue on the ballot, with heavy campaigning — fliers, signs, robocalls — on both sides.
On Tuesday, Jeff Leitner and wife Kate Mindlin were on their way into their voting precinct station in Bethesda after talking to Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad
Volunteer Tim Long, still undecided about how to vote. Here is a conversation they had with The Washington Examiner photographer Andrew Harnik:
Kate Mindlin: “I got fliers and a bunch of information that I saw, but we were walking here trying to discuss this because I’m confused honestly. I mean I feel like both sides have some really valid points. I don’t want somebody not to be served, I don’t want insurance fees to go up and have reverberating effects.”
Jeff Leitner: “It’s a complex issue because it relates to details of government funding, government budgets that a bumper sticker or a sign on the yard isn’t enough to tell
you what logically [is] right and worng and we hadn’t done enough research frankly before today to know the nuances of the arguments.”
Kate: “That’s exactly it, its the nuances. And you have to make a decision that is going to potentially affect jobs and quality of care now or down the road. It’s not clear cut. The volunteers, the Bethesda rescue squad, the guy who is out here, they have been doing a terrific job. I hate that they have to fundraise for what feels like a basic need in our world, to provide basic ambulatory care if somebody is in trouble and yet, somebody has to pay for that and where is it best appropriated?”
Jeff: “To me this is an example for a logical role for government. There is so much screaming about smaller government, but providing ambulance care is something that …”
Kate: (interrupting) “Is essential, like paving roads or providing education don’t you think?”
Jeff: “Right, it seems to me an essential service that the government ought to be providing and we ought to be willing to pay taxes to provide that and have volunteers not to have to go fundraising.”
