Requests for Rides Routine Refills and Other Non-Urgent Calls Increases Response Time for 911

   Increasingly uninsured patients are relying on 911 as their only way into the healthcare system, e.g. to get routine refills, and as a means of transportation to doctor appointments.  In order to save money, improve care, and reduce ER overcrowding officials across the nation are considering changes to cope with the growing number of non-emergency calls to the 911 system.  Paramedics in Maine, Minnesota, and Colorado are beginning to treat patients in their homes doing preventive and follow up care, and helping manage chronic illness.  "The emergency room is expensive and not always a pleasant experience for patients," said Maine's community para-medicine co-ordinator, Kevin McGinnis.  It is much better to treat them where they are."