Petitioning For the Funding of ER Transport for Low-Income Households in Texas
Petitioning For the Funding of ER Transport for Low-Income Households in Texas
The Issue
Yes, the federal government has made changes that have offered access of medical help to the impoverished through programs such as Medicaid. However, it is important that one focuses on the numbers. "Medicaid is the primary program providing comprehensive coverage of health and long-term care to about 80 million low-income people in the United States" - KFF.org. However, medicaid benefits are solely offered to those 138% or lower of the Federal Poverty Line.
The Federal Poverty Level (FPL) is currently, for 2025, at $15,650 for an individual and $32,150 for a family of four (specific family numbers can be viewed here: https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/federal-poverty-level-fpl/). This means that individuals whose annual income lies above $21,597 and families of four whose annual income lies above $44,367 do not receive Medicaid or health care benefits. However, many of these families cannot afford insurance either.
Unfortunately, these citizens are just as at-risk of emergencies as other middle-class and upper-class citizens are, they just simply will not be able to afford it. According to MASA, "The average invoice for a ground ambulance ride is $2,086, and medical air transport averages $72,469 per flight." For some, the cost of a medical air transport costs more than their annual income.
To avoid such hefty costs, many Texas citizens refrain from dialing 9-1-1. Instead, these individuals drive themselves to the hospital, putting not only themselves but other drivers at risk of injury or death.
By signing this petition, we, the concerned citizens of the State of Texas, petition for Texas legislature to approve a state-funded program in which less-fortunate families will have their emergency transportation needs provided for, saving both the lives of the injured and the others around them.
Sources:
- KFF.org, "Medicaid 101," https://www.kff.org/medicaid/health-policy-101-medicaid/?entry=table-of-contents-introduction
- Healthcare.gov, "Federal Poverty Level (FPL)," https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/federal-poverty-level-fpl/
- MASAaccess.com, "Understanding ambulance costs," https://masaaccess.com/learning-center/understanding-ambulance-costs
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The Issue
Yes, the federal government has made changes that have offered access of medical help to the impoverished through programs such as Medicaid. However, it is important that one focuses on the numbers. "Medicaid is the primary program providing comprehensive coverage of health and long-term care to about 80 million low-income people in the United States" - KFF.org. However, medicaid benefits are solely offered to those 138% or lower of the Federal Poverty Line.
The Federal Poverty Level (FPL) is currently, for 2025, at $15,650 for an individual and $32,150 for a family of four (specific family numbers can be viewed here: https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/federal-poverty-level-fpl/). This means that individuals whose annual income lies above $21,597 and families of four whose annual income lies above $44,367 do not receive Medicaid or health care benefits. However, many of these families cannot afford insurance either.
Unfortunately, these citizens are just as at-risk of emergencies as other middle-class and upper-class citizens are, they just simply will not be able to afford it. According to MASA, "The average invoice for a ground ambulance ride is $2,086, and medical air transport averages $72,469 per flight." For some, the cost of a medical air transport costs more than their annual income.
To avoid such hefty costs, many Texas citizens refrain from dialing 9-1-1. Instead, these individuals drive themselves to the hospital, putting not only themselves but other drivers at risk of injury or death.
By signing this petition, we, the concerned citizens of the State of Texas, petition for Texas legislature to approve a state-funded program in which less-fortunate families will have their emergency transportation needs provided for, saving both the lives of the injured and the others around them.
Sources:
- KFF.org, "Medicaid 101," https://www.kff.org/medicaid/health-policy-101-medicaid/?entry=table-of-contents-introduction
- Healthcare.gov, "Federal Poverty Level (FPL)," https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/federal-poverty-level-fpl/
- MASAaccess.com, "Understanding ambulance costs," https://masaaccess.com/learning-center/understanding-ambulance-costs
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Petition created on December 16, 2025