Paid ambulance rides proposed in Spain

MADRID, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Spanish Health Minister Ana Mato has proposed charging patients with non-urgent medical needs for ambulance rides.

Non-emergency ambulance riders, such as chronically-ill patients who need transportation for treatment, would pay varying amounts for trips to hospitals, ThinkSpain reported.

Mato proposed that pensioners making less than $23,600 a year pay about $13 every six months for regular ambulance trips.

People making $131,000 a year would pay about $78 twice a year for non-emergency ambulance rides.

For a single trip, it will cost about $6.50 for a one-way and $13 for a round-trip.