NAEMT Leaders Outraged at BC/BS TV Commercial
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The National Association of EMTs (NAEMT) deplores the airing of a television
commercial by Blue Cross/Blue Shield (BC/BS) that insults the professionalism of
paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and discourages people from
calling for life-saving help in the event of an emergency.
The commercial, which has played on TV for about a year in several markets
across the nation, features an ambulance stopping at an ATM. A patient with a
broken leg hobbles unassisted from the ambulance to withdraw money to pay for
medical costs. The paramedics are portrayed as uncaring, bored and concerned
only about money.
"This commercial does a grave disservice to the public and insults the
hard-earned professionalism of emergency medical services (EMS) workers
everywhere," said NAEMT President John Roquemore, on behalf of the oldest and
largest member association that speaks for the nation's 870,000 paramedics and
EMTs.
"EMS is a vital part of our nation's healthcare system. Every day, dedicated
professional EMTs and paramedics across the nation respond to thousands of
medical emergencies, ready to provide life-saving
care," Roquemore continued.
"In medical emergencies such as heart attacks, strokes and trauma, where time is
critical, it is vitally important that people have confidence in EMS."
"A nationally televised image of bored, uncaring, unprofessional EMS workers
sends the wrong message and discourages people from calling 911," according to
Roquemore.
In addition, this commercial suggests to the uninsured and poor that calling
EMS is a luxury they may not be able to afford, according to NAEMT. In the
precious moments surrounding an emergency, EMS
professionals do not want
people to hesitate to call for help. EMS responds to and cares for everyone
during an emergency, regardless of ability to pay. Too often, paramedics and
EMTs are called to assist people who have delayed calling for help because
they are afraid of healthcare costs. Sometimes, such delays are fatal. "An
emergency situation is not the place for humor about the high cost of
healthcare," Roquemore said.
NAEMT has requested that BC/BS stop airing this commercial immediately, issue
an apology to paramedics and EMTs and seek to remedy any damage caused by this
commercial in the markets in which it has aired.
Date: October 22, 2004
http://www.naemt.org
