American Medical Response
After arrest and against my will billed me $728.61 for half mile ride to psychiatric hospital Seattle Washington

On March 13 the police responded to my address after receiving a report of a gunshot outside my house. My wife told the officers I was bi polar and that I had taken my shotgun outside. I told them I had taken it outside earlier but that I hadn't fired it.

The officer in charge, Damon Deese, placed me under arrest but decided I would go to Harborview Hospital in downtown Seattle for a psychiatric evaluation instead of jail. After I was in custody the police called American Medical Response to transport me a little less than half a mile to the hospital. I was told that I had no choice in the matter and I was handcuffed and forced to board the ambulance.

I have since found out that the Seattle police department often transports prisoners to Harborview Hospital in police cars but made an exception in my case and called for the ambulance. They could have transported me that way since I was in not physically ill or injured.

I have spoken with American Medical Response and they have told me it doesn't matter that I had no choice about anything. Because I was the patient transported I am responsible for the bill period. I feel like the officers who arrested me were angry that I wouldn't confess to firing a gun and chose to punish me with an additional bill. I wonder how often the Seattle police department uses American Medical Response knowing what the outcome will be.

Company: American Medical Response
Country: USA
State: California
City: Modesto
Address: P.O. Box 3429
Phone: 8009139106

  <     >