The Knesset Labor, Social Welfare and Health Committee on Tuesday approved for its second and third readings in the plenum a government bill stipulating that Magen David Adom may choose not to charge emergency victims fees if they have only been examined but not treated and refuse to be taken to hospital.
If an ambulance has been called and MDA medics give treatment on the site only, without evacuating the person, only a reduced fee will be charged. In addition, the bill stipulates that the first-aid, ambulance and blood supply organization is entitled to give discounts on fees for non-emergency services it provides, such as taking patients to medical appointments arranged in advance or the use of an ambulance at a public event.
MDA will also be empowered to forgo payments for interest, linkage or fines for fees owed.
Until now, MDA was required by the government to charge the full fees.