(06-28-2017, 05:38 PM)realtorpat Wrote: not sure hipa would even allow this, medical personnel have to attempt to save people.

If they're keeping a database of confidential medical information (which an overdose would be categorized as such) without the consent of the patient, and they're using that to determine whether they'll send emergency medical personnel to the scene of an overdose, then they could be in violation of HIPAA laws.

Medical personnel do have to attempt to save the life unless instructed otherwise.  So, if the person has a DNR or something like that, they wouldn't.  In this case, the 911 operators are basically being told that if this is strike 3 for this person, hang up.  So, it never gets to the medical personnel. 

If cities are going to play the ultimate arbiter in determining if someone lives or dies, and they base it on economics, we're all screwed.  Today we're talking about drug addicts overdosing.  Like JIB pointed out above, that can devolve very quickly to include anyone who has any sort of risk associated with them.  The next time they look at pinching pennies, it could be three strikes and out if you're a diabetic who has had two incidents where paramedics needed to be called, and on the third one, they hang up on you.  Once you establish a precedent, it's easy to move the goal line for the sake of saving a buck.

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