Emergency Medical Services: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

John Oliver explains how emergency medical services function in the U.S., why they can be so expensive, and what we can do to fix things.
Connect with Last Week Tonight online...
Subscribe to the Last Week Tonight KZbin channel for more almost news as it almost happens: / lastweektonight
Find Last Week Tonight on Facebook like your mom would: lastweektonight
Follow us on Twitter for news about jokes and jokes about news: lastweektonight
Visit our official site for all that other stuff at once: www.hbo.com/lastweektonight

[@notabene7381]

- "Socialism doesn't work!" - "But the Western European and Nordic countries are doing great with it." - "That's not real socialism! They're basically capitalist." - "Okay, let's adopt their policies then." - "No, that's socialism."

[@hurdygurdyguy1]

🤣 Exactly!!

[@bmac161]

Small, ethnically homogenous countries with centuries-old tradition of centralized government. You really think that’s comparable to the US?

[@infospy]

Europe just found a 50-50 capitalist/socialist way of doing things. Yes, we have capitalism but we also found out that people also need to live and be healthy in order to be able to work, generate wealth, and spend it. Capitalism is unsustainable without a dose of socialism.

[@kevinmbrooks]

@@bmac161 "ethnically homogenous" is code for "I'm a white supremacist".

[@chrisprilloisebola]

Western Europe is not socialist tf u on about

[@Fiat_Lux_23]

A $3000 per ride ambulance, driven by a minimum wage slave without health insurance for himself is the perfect sad metaphor for the clusterfuck which is US health care. That's what you get if you promote greed and selfishness as a virtue while at the same time demonizing socialised medicine.

[@stylis666]

**takes notes** Go on. Do I extort the newborn? I mean bill the newborn or the parents?

[@nihlify]

@@stylis666 Every newborn should be in debt for life, makes all the sense.

[@phpART]

I can only have pity for the poor US citizens at this point

[@bigtex4058]

I worked for Blue Cross 30 years, and I approve this message. Started out non-profit, later went for profit and ultimately became nothing but an ATM for executives and stockholders.

[@EebstertheGreat]

If they didn't want to be poor, they would do something worthwhile with their lives like marketing or quantitative finance, but instead they want to be lazy and save lives.

[@vision011000]

“It didn’t have to be this way. Under the Reagan administration...” Ah, fuck.

[@DJK5364]

Fucking Reagan!!!!

[@raggedcritical]

*Unfortunately*, under the Reagan administration... The "unfortunately" is important, though now I think about it possibly redundant when talking about the Reagan administration.

[@thatkidwiththehoodie]

@@DJK5364 (shakes fist at the sky) *REAAAAAGAAAAAAN!!*

[@heyheytaytay]

Nothing good ever follows those words XD

[@LeafseasonMagbag]

This is why I now only call that man Ronald "Perpetual Enemy of History" Reagan

[@300IQPrower]

“Unfortunately, under the Raegan admin-“ Me: _Audible groan_

[@GammellNotCamel]

15:50 A baby getting a bill for being born is about the most American thing I've ever heard.

[@thankyouverymuch]

Americans also get bills for dying.

[@blakrumba]

yup

[@Fatikis42]

The hospitals also do things incredibly shady. Almost the entire actual expense to the Hospital is for the Mother. But hospitals know that the mom likely is going to hit their out of pocket insurance max. So they start upcharging everything for the infant. The infant ends up with as large a bill as the mom due to insurance deals to screw over families. The United States is a dystopian society. I have decent insurance and a baby cost me $10,000 of debt. My wife hit her out of pocket deductible at $2,000 so they charge insane prices for the infant which requires actually extremely minimal resources and cost the hospital almost nothing in the case of uncomplicated delivery.

[@TheSeanUhTron]

Happy birthday, Baby! Here's your first birthday gift. $1,700 of debt.

[@dancepiglover]

Just think, if the baby was still inside of the women, there only would have been one bill. The whole think is ridiculous.

[@SLASH91285]

Let me get this straight: EMS has to ask for donations and Police can buy tanks? Love the prioritisation.

[@emjay2045]

They need a union. Like the police have. That’s why they literally get away with murder

[@glowacek]

Union, what an un-American, anticapitalistic and communist idea... Unless it is police union that's is all fine and republican supported.

[@arthurmorgan8966]

Not only tanks, robotic dogs like Black Mirror

[@RHCole]

"This is America..."

[@sonyaweinreis3658]

@@RHCole ya I'm ashamed to say I live in america

[@torrinmaag5331]

In Ontario, an ambulance costs 45$ "if medically necessary" and 240$ "if deemed medically unnecessary," and that fee is seen as too much.

[@MrOnemanop]

Don't forget, $0.00 cost if you are on social assistance, plus other billing exemptions. (and actual billable calls only go to those with identified home addresses, something medics are notoriously poor at documenting.).

[@TheAmtwhite]

To clarify for Americans, that’s Ontario, Canada not Ontario, California. I can’t even imagine $3000 for an ambulance!

[@TheCommonS3Nse]

$240 is also pretty close to the cost of a private hospital room. So in Ontario, worst case scenario, you get taken to the hospital by ambulance and it’s deemed not medically necessary. Then you get a private room at the hospital. You have just had the most expensive emergency medical treatment that you can get, and it cost about $500. Compare that to $3000 and you’re not even at the hospital yet 😳

[@michaelwywiorski2008]

Our daughter was born in our apartment this year. Two ambulances arrived to take my gf and i in one and one for the baby.... they never billed us for either (also from toronto)

[@jendelaney9571]

@@michaelwywiorski2008 what is an f2f?

[@CepheusTalks]

everyone: that sounds like an old cartoony ghost John Oliver: I'm about to end these people's childhoods

[@ManoredRed]

I did think it sounded like that

[@oldrrocr]

you are going to be hearing from Disney - and not in a good way.

[@michaelwilliamybarra2409]

I was thinking it just sounded like a theremin, or a ghostly opera singer, if you ask me. :P

[@andrewmathewson341]

The most cursed LastWeekTonight graphic so far.

[@rachelrachel9152]

@@andrewmathewson341 whats worse is it was a gif, just a picture wouldve been 10 times more withstandable

[@Dog-Girl-Defect]

Mickey getting his ass brutalized by goofy is not something I thought I'd see today.

[@totesmcgoats3852]

Currently, he is with Scarlett Johansson suing.

[@XenosX4]

The furriest are having a field day.

[@alexkitakis3917]

That’s exactly what I thought I’d see today. What kind of life are you living?

[@corporateservants269]

Disney's gonna be upset. 😬

[@alfyb4512]

“A brand new woooorld…”

[@charliegnu]

I'd really like to see a website with all the problems that have been pointed out by John Oliver's show and what's their current status: solved, in progress, still f'ed.

[@morganaalexander8672]

+

[@sarathegriffin]

If it doesn't exist and you want it then make it. Maybe you could be on the show. Idk.

[@303elliott]

@Laplace disappointingly accurate, especially considering he points out not only the problem, but the solution as well

[@donpark4473]

EMS is underfunded. I’m an EMT volunteer. Not worth the cost of training to work and get paid as an EMT.

[@303elliott]

@@donpark4473 I know it's pretty much worthless, but thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your service. You're underappreciated and overworked, but you also keep civilization going. You're the thread that holds the country together. Underappreciated and underrepresented, but I see you. Thank you, thank you so much for everything you do

[@MorganChaos]

y'all remember that EMT last year who lost her job and got blasted all over the internet for also having an onlyfans because she needed to make ends meet? pepperidge farm remembers.

[@ciaranosullivan9352]

@@sydneyklabnik5231 Ah ok.Now i see the potential issue

[@rleahy201]

It’s ridiculous how judgmental people can be. Also ridiculous: wage disparities

[@MrIcenice44]

winter is coming

[@ciaranosullivan9352]

@@sydneyklabnik5231 Thanks for the information.

[@ryanquint2045]

What're her superiors afraid of? People going to start fucking themselves up so they can watch her rub her clam in person?

[@johnaverill6308]

At one point I wondered: why is it the police and fire department get decent/good funding but ems doesn't? Later on it dawned on me why. The police and fd are in place to protect assets, but ems protects people. America's priorities have always been to protect assets rather than human lives.

[@bribri0786]

💯

[@massinakmin8340]

Emt does not have healthcare what a freaking joke your country is. Is the usa full of cowards? If this was in my country politicians would be afraid to be out in the streets.. we have full government funded healthcare and we still strike to make it better. You americans dont care about each other that is it .. you only care about your capital. That is why free healthcare will never be a thing in the usa.. what a joke omg.

[@waxwinged_hound]

@@massinakmin8340 Unfortunately a large portion of Americans don't give a shit about each other. Most of us do, but unfortunately the amount of people that think that their personal freedom is more important than everyone else's safety and health is large enough that the rest of us suffer. All of us that actually care are powerless. If we protest or strike, they shut us down and treat us like criminals. And those of us who suffer the most can't leave, because they don't have the money to move away. I'd pack my shit tonight and take the first flight possible out of this country if I could, but I can't and never will be able to.

[@beadybaby]

Also, that funding is still more like poor to fair (PD/FD)

[@johnaverill6308]

@@beadybaby I disagree. The US spends more on their PD than most countries do on their military

[@lanapowell]

Lawyer: So, you want a divorce because you said Mickey was...being a bit silly? Minnie: No, I said he was f*cking Goofy.

[@LasVegar]

Mmm more like goofy fucking micky silly

[@quickeye100]

Some gold here

[@driftingdruid]

i needed this punny joke, thank you

[@GeneralDragon011]

Some nice wordplay there. You just earned a cookie.

[@kenbee1957]

Here is an Internet You've won it

[@TuathDedanaan]

I've been a paramedic for just under 15 years. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this piece. There's not many people who get to 7 years without a chronic injury. In any city you will hear that EMS is the red headed step child of emergency services so it is so incredibly nice to have national coverage on this

[@clevernamegotban1752]

Thank you for your work!

[@itsrham]

Started working in home health 7 years ago? I'm 28 and had a spinal fusion in March, attributed to lifting and transferring patients who should have had more than one person to move them safely.

[@armandovalero7117]

Dude i did the emt class and did only 2 ride alongs and knew this isnt for anyone. I hope you get what you deserve

[@wolfdogg9938]

Would you comment from your perspective? It is my belief that insurance is part of the problem, and the other part is ambulance services have become a separate business from emergency hospital services. Years ago, the EMTS and Paramedics were hospital employees. Now, hospitals are dumping any care that isnt highly profitable.

[@cheerfulsatanist]

@@wolfdogg9938 it's more than that you also have places of business usually bars or nightclubs especially in higher end areas where that serve hiring clientele who will specifically work with certain private ambulance companies to take them to the more expensive hospitals in the club gets a kickback from the hospital if you thank you for sending us your rich alcohol poisoned morons. It's even worse in rural areas when you don't have hospitals or public clinics nearby and for many people if there's a serious emergency the best they can hope for is an ambulance to get there within an hour at which point the app not to go to the hospital. So essentially they're using an ambulance and EMTs is their version of an urgent care center just five times the price but what choice do they have. It's the same as most issues in this country where it goes to capitalism and the free market are awesome and most respects but there should be a barrier certain things being privatized so I would say it's more of an issue of a can and can't be privatized in this necessarily just insurance. It's the insurance is probably the fire starts but as it spreads outward a lot of the issues that you'll find are stemming from the fact that so many groups are not engaged only in helping people or their community but primarily are concerned with turning a profit and after that they're living actually matters is image and maybe we'll you know try to help the community... later... If there are cameras or you know we can tweet about it

[@jacknelson6010]

As an EMT I appreciate this man. I appreciate this message. And I appreciate all of you for watching this.

[@nicholaskinnard1227]

As an EMT in the US I’ve had patients literally break down in front of me because of the amount of stupidly high medical bills that they are about to receive. Healthcare in the US Is a fucking joke. Can’t even use insurance without the insurance companies bitching that they have to shell out any sort of money and then saddling the rest on you

[@Acidfunkish]

Imagine... Insurance companies doing what they're supposed to do. Cheesus. Sorry, bud. You deserve better. As do your... patients? ...clients? I dunno. 🤨 Hope it gets better. ...WAIT WAIT WAIT. You didn't even get hazard pay? Are you forking kidding me?

[@funveeable]

Insurance and government money since why the healthcare cost so much. The hospital needs to have its own prices and they need to be available.

[@normansimpson1594]

Ah come on, you all go on strike nationwide, you get medicare for all. Americans are just whipped into thinking they can't have the good things in life. The pandemic was the opportunity to say NO to vaccines until you get M4A, but you blew it. You guys have zero gumption, sorry to say.

[@nicholaskinnard1227]

@@Acidfunkish Lol we got 300 dollar bonus as our hazard pay and that was taxed

[@wannabehistorian371]

@@normansimpson1594 As if denying the vaccines would help healthcare workers in any way.

[@w.s.soapcompany94]

My friend had a seizure at a crosswalk in Atlanta, she regained her composure as she was being put into an Ambulance and started screaming "I didn't call you! I'm not paying for this!" Over and over until they let her go. I have never considered this a funny story.

[@erikmuskett5313]

Speaking as an EMT it sounds as though someone called for her because she was seizing, if someone is actively seizing and has an altered mental status it is our duty to transport them to the hospital. Also she has the right to refuse care and it sounds like they let her go when she regained her level of responsiveness. I don't see anything wrong with that.

[@TitoTimTravels]

As a frequent seizure fan (well not a fan... just fall down a lot ha ha), I would do the same thing. If I did not call them - I would refuse to pay. I would never use an ambulance or a regular hospital. I could always afford to have insurance but could not afford to use it. Luckily I am a disabled vet and get all my care at the veterans hospital. 😎

[@_ee75]

A dystopian story

[@SeanGHOB]

@@erikmuskett5313 You don't see anything wrong with a system where a person who just had a seizure refuses care because of the cost? Please stop drinking the GOP kool aid.

[@samanthapaige2433]

@@erikmuskett5313 I’m sorry, but your sense of “duty” does not outweigh the importance of someone being able to pay rent that month or put food on the table for their kids. If that woman hadn’t regained consciousness right in the nick of time, you could have put her into dire straights financially, and just the upset of you being on the scene thwarted her immediate recovery with stress. Not saying it’s your fault for what is a large systemic problem, but I’m shocked you see “nothing wrong” with that.

[@HashPhantom]

“The frustrating thing is, it didn’t have to be this way.” Should be the country’s official motto.

[@deliarebaudengo5440]

World's

[@kitcoffey7194]

We can't have progress because the untaxed rich need another yacht.

[@chiefsilverback]

To quote Winston Churchill, "you can always count on the Americans to do the right thing, after they've tried everything else"

[@gillianespinoza3652]

Word!!

[@NikoJr.]

@@chiefsilverback Technically, that quote isn't exactly Churchill's, but that doesn't make it any less true

[@alexreid1173]

Please tell me I’m not the only grown man that immediately started crying when I heard about the woman begging people not to call an ambulance. I know exactly how that feels and it’s terrifying…

[@cherylbryan660]

Being a nurse I’ve never understood the underfunding for the EMS system and how underpaid EMTs are, many making less than a fast food worker. It makes no sense. Thanks for bringing light to this big issue. I really hope some big change can start happening .

[@elorz007]

"Remember that baby who got a bill for being born" is probably the most USA sentence I've heard.

[@blakgumshoo]

And they wonder why fertility rates have gone down in the US, even before covid hit.

[@alexbradshaw5466]

Ameeeericaaaa fuck yeaaaahhhh

[@catelynh1020]

@@blakgumshoo fertility rates is different from pregnancy rates. They're thinking that the fertility rate going down is due to pesticides and other frequently exposed/consumed chemicals. Pregnancy rates dropping is more due to people wanting to wait until they're older to have kids, or not thinking they're financially secure enough to have them.

[@catelynh1020]

In 2016, there was a itemized medical bill that included a $40 charge for "skin-to-skin contact" with the baby...literally, a charge of $40 to hold their baby. Now i'm not going to say america lives in a dystopia, but that right there seems to be a dystopian element you could add to the very long list

[@escalisation3967]

@@catelynh1020 other than beta-spreading the obvious: what else did your comment controbute? The comment you're referring to probably meant pregnancy rates, not fertility rates, guessing from the context. And they have a valid point. Most people in the US can't cover their basic human needs and even if they can, there's no affordable infrastructure for education and healthcare and that's just scratching the surface

[@HaliousX]

The confidence of this show's lawyers that allow John make those jokes about Mickey Mouse

[@Hjaelteomslag]

Parody and satire is explicitly protected by law.

[@joshuaperales3408]

So mickey mouse isnt real and cannot sue. Also Americas constitution gives us protections in free speech. Plus HBO has no sponsors and therefore are not beholden to any money overlords and can say or do whatever is in legal bounds!

[@kevinmaher1783]

Disney illegally extended Mickey's copy right. It is about expire again in 2024

[@MikeDyson3k]

@@robsmith5526 that number is so low that is non issue and most likely a mental health issue, but this country doesn't want to fix that either.

[@robsmith5526]

@@MikeDyson3k I think you are correct. I also think that if we changed little else but EMS becomes federally funded in those 39 states where it's not, it would be financially abused by the heavily merged private healthcare service orgs more than it would be misused by individuals.

[@Eric998765]

"Under the Reagan Administration..." Ahh shit, here we go again

[@Chai.Chai.]

Me: Expecting George Clooney to make an joke related to the show ER George Clooney: Summons Kermit the Frog

[@chikaknight5610]

My mom is a paramedic and frequently bemoans how people want to make $15 an hour when she barely makes more. My argument is always that she should be paid more, not that other people should have to work three jobs Thank you for tackling this!

[@GroovDiva]

She seems to have fallen right where the 1% wanted her! I hope this segment inspires her to fight for ALL workers, not letting them pit us all against each other.

[@mikec64]

EMS are always the first to want everyone else to make lower wages. It's nuts.

[@colinmartin9797]

Your mother is either very weird or very wrong. Because the way wages work - if everyone else gets $15 an hour, she can then negotiate her skills, which require schooling and ongoing licensing fees that aren't cheap, for even more. Raising the bottom raises us all. Seattle raising the minimum wage was the catalyst for Seattle EMT's getting a pay raise.

[@colinmartin9797]

@@ASS_ault I'm a medic and I can't think of a single coworker that isn't either also in school or works a second job or even has a third side hustle.

[@thedapperdolphin1590]

That’s how they always get people on board with not raising the wage, instead of getting people to realize that all sorts of labor are undervalued.

[@joaquin8637]

the phrase "unfortunately, under the Reagan administration..." seems to pop out a lot

[@bentoth9555]

Just, whatever you do, don't build a drinking game around it. That way lies alcohol poisoning.

[@Glaaki13]

Well I think it was around that time -they found out they could get away with a lot of BS

[@harshitjain575]

There has been 16 years of rule by democrats after that. Didn't see them changing anything. It's not a party problem but a policy problem.

[@reimei2819]

Why they didn't change it all these years?

[@Nowolf]

@@harshitjain575 I was confused for a bit, then I realized you meant 16 years total. and that you probably meant changing things for only this specific issue.

[@cadek.l.5387]

Former EMT here, (active 2013-2018) I made $9.25ish for a 12 hour shift when I started and around 13-14.50 when I left. The reason it was raised to that level by the time I left was because the minimum wage had gone up to 13-14.50 (I can’t remember exactly what it was at the time) and in LA that’s starvation wages. Try to imagine getting paid minimum wage to risk your life, health, and mental well being. From the perspective of EMS it’s tragically clear that we live in a failed state and that healthcare in this country is modern day highway robbery. These ambulance companies are money grabbing hucksters who try to short change their staff, their patients, and even the equally evil hospital systems they serve. I’m only 4 minutes into the above video (don’t worry I’ll force myself to watch the rest despite how triggered I am by the subject matter) but I’m going to guess the Jon will likely talk about these private ambulance company’s ties and relation to crime and even the mob in some cases. It was very common to hear about a shady ambulance company getting raided by FBI for Medicare fraud. I know people who had FBI SWAT teams point guns at them because that was the level of crime that was going on there. A company by the name APT used to pick up people from skid row and make up some BS on their assessment saying the patient needed things they really didn’t. Hospitals would go through the whole nine yards and would test this, monitor that, and then bill for it all. Obviously since they were from the row, bills weren’t going to patients (directly) but instead going to Medicare and Medi-Cal. The vermin at the top made money hand over fist and flaunted it. EMTs were occasionally involved and would sometimes get kick backs for fraudulent activities. More often then not, there would be situations where we were expected to drop off patients in places that clearly could not take care of them and it was expected of us that we would comply no questions asked. You only rocked the boat once or twice before they started looking for reasons to cut you loose. Due to a philosophy of enforced apathy the sentiment of “it’s not my problem anymore” was rampant amongst management and staff and because of the money factor patients pleas to be taken elsewhere or to be provided contact with social services fell on deaf ears. Try to imagine your in the back of an ambulance and you want to go somewhere to get the help you need- but oh no- there are no options here. You go where we take you. Let’s say we get there and it’s just a no-go all around.. like for whatever reason the drop off just doesn’t suit the patient’s NEEDS not WANTS. So the patient says “no take me back to the hospital”, and we say “yeah no sorry you should probably call 911 if you want to do that”. Healthcare for profit is an evil system and if you disagree I dare you to step out onto the front lines and into the streets and try saying that to your heart of hearts. Deep down you’ll know. Helping people is not supposed to be like this...

[@crazeguy26]

heard that a ambulance was ram off the road last year. all the two EMTs can remember is a semi run up behind them and ramming into them and rolling over in the ditch. the company they work for is shady.

[@anna-fleurfarnsworth104]

Holy fuck. You've articulated this idea really well, thanks for writing this comment!

[@DonHavjuan]

Meanwhile in the Modern Developed World, working at McDonalds STARTS at $23

[@onesilike9838]

So glad I was born in “socialist” Canada. Not perfect, but at least I know I won’t be bankrupted when I get sick.

[@nancydrew1882]

🙌🏾

[@jeandanielodonnncada]

Yet we actually have the same inconsistency in how ambulances are funded and managed and ambulance rides are often not covered by provincial medicare. That said, our costs are closer to an Uber than $3000.

[@andrewzeedyk3095]

I'm tired of hearing how socialism is communism

[@MrMikejonesism]

Except in British Columbia, Canada. Paramedics in rural areas make $2/hr. When paged out, you then get paid a minimum of 4hrs pay. You could sit at the station for 24hrs and make $48.

[@joeschmoe3815]

@@andrewzeedyk3095 don't you mean "social democracy"? Because thank god we never needed to experience the horrors of socialism/communism

[@mar10ssj1]

Former EMT here, this is just the tip of the iceberg. The attrition rate, wages, protocols, call volume, compliance, etc, etc, etc. It's a great way to get your foot in the door of the medical industry. But not at all to make a living. A Paramedic can go into nursing and get 10x more money. Many do. It's just crazy. I do miss it sometimes. Being in the shit, in the trenches. EMS deserves better. Lot's of good folks in EMS, kinda crazy, but down to earth.

[@harpastanman8952]

Thank you for saving people's lives, not all heroes wear capes

[@MalO.ver1.0.x]

Well you have to be crazy to do that for longer than a couple of moths or even years.

[@Enbe234]

😥 Can't imagine how it must be like for you, living in Belgium where at least this doesn't happen!

[@waywardgoddess7219]

As a Nurse Assistant going on 4yrs who would love to be an EMT, this is disheartening AF. Like I knew shit was bad, but I didn't realize it was that bad

[@AlexandarHullRichter]

I'm sure you don't mean it this way, but it kind of makes me sick to think that medical care is considered an industry (outside of actual supply and equipment manufacture).

[@shyeahright]

As someone who worked state-level EMS management for nearly 12 years, thank you for bringing this to light. On top of the outrageously low pay our medics receive for their work, they also have to pay for continuing education and licensing, none of which are cheap. They are subject to lawsuits like you wouldn’t believe. And there is a terrible lack of resources for some of the PTSD the job can cause. There needs to be reform, but nobody seems to know where to start.

[@therustbeltblacksmith]

they know how, other countries have been doing it for decades, what they can't figure out is how to do it and keep the middle men insanely rich enough to donate to their campaigns.

[@jacobschindler2513]

Unions.

[@erebostd]

@@jacobschindler2513 social healthcare. Like everybody fucking else.

[@benwiseman6504]

America is sick. You charge thousands of dollars for an ambulance ride and don't even pay the EMTs. Sociopathic culture.

[@nicksmith1313]

Start with the pay. The best people are walking away because they can't afford to put themselves last. Quality staffing is always a good investment.

[@wayneburton8168]

Every story I hear about US healthcare astounds me. Incredibly expensive, and yet not including healthcare for Ambulance services. Not even a living wage . Unique among industrialized democracies.

[@landcal]

"Big ouchie trucks that go 'whoop, whoop'." Literally made me spit out my water 😂

[@pratiikkaushik8285]

We do call them wee woo wagons in the biz

[@jaredlowdermilk3680]

I’m an EMT, I’ve literally brought people back to life, helped moms deliver children, talked people down form the ledge and tackled naked people trying to Swan dive off a 20 story building. And my company used a loophole to pay us less then minimum wage in my first year in a specific area. Been at it 5 years here now and I love my job but I hate my career prospects.

[@craigmono5883]

TYFYS

[@obedflores5736]

Look into PA homie

[@303elliott]

Look into hospital work. I left EMS because of pay

[@rutvin8763]

@Jared Lowdermilk, as a former EMT myself I'm sorry to hear that. Have you considered going into medicine? Lot of skills you learn in EMS are applicable in medicine though obviously you have to learn a lot more.

[@bigmouthprick5852]

Legit thanks for your service.

[@TehLucario]

"And if you're thinking how could this possibly get worse" For Profit companies: Allow us to introduce ourselves

[@vanbusto8870]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmmsf4Sra7l1ga8

[@Oscar1618033]

This sounds like the most accurate description of the USA...

@@vanbusto8870 You know no one is following your random spam link, right?

[@dv6165]

And yet America keeps glorifying capitalism and refuses to install beneficial socialistic systems like medicare for all. *shrugs* You do it to yourself...

[@FlyingDwarfman]

@@dv6165 This is the type of comment I can't decide whether up- or down-voting is best. I wanna up-vote because it's correct. I also wanna down-vote because I don't want it to be correct.

[@Hidfors]

Whenever I feel a bit depressed, I watch John Oliver. Then I realize I live in Scandinavia, and I feel just fine again :D At least my country works.

[@daniellemcnulty6076]

😂😂😂😂😂😂 that’s fantastic lmfao

[@oaktree__]

My American parents have been watching Occupied recently. It's a show about a dystopian Russian takeover of Norway and it still seems like halfway to paradise to them lol

[@bubba3223]

I'm in Canada and feel the same but worry some times being so close to U.S. We do get infected from time to time by American ideology.

[@littlebunnyfoufou1]

@@bubba3223 oh Canada is a total shitshow too. We're just not AS bad as the US. 2 heatwaves this summer in BC taught us that BC ambulance services are struggling with many of those issues too, understaffing due to poor pay, long ambulance waits etc.

[@HorseRaceHandicrapper]

@@bubba3223 YES, I saw something on T.V. about some Canadian who was working with some American Gun lobbyists to get looser gun laws in Canada. From what I've seen over the past few years, it's simple math; more guns equals more gun violence. As far as health care goes, we'd have to be insane to adopt the American system.

[@BLuddenify]

I fainted in a Bar, when I came to an ambulance had been called. They kept trying to transport me, I was on an Island and I knew being transported would likely cost thousands. However all I had to tell them to get them to leave me alone was I have no money, no job and I own nothing! The scary thing is, they didn't stop trying to transport me until I said the words I own nothing! Very telling.

[@1oace768]

George being able to summon Kermit with a clap is really filling in the lore for the Oliverse.

[@shannoncole8399]

@Jon Thor ]]

[@MD-bf2ce]

...spoilers :[ This is the first comment when pulling up the video for me right now.

[@davidc1373]

@@MD-bf2ce read comments after the video? Comments have never been spoiler free.

[@MD-bf2ce]

@@davidc1373 I get that. On mobile and when in vertical mode it always shows the first comment.

[@livingtorture5745]

I'm dead. The Oliverse... brilliant!

[@RoketEngineer]

I have been a paramedic for 10 years and usually have to tell everyone I meet most of these facts. I actively discourage most people who are interested in being EMTs from doing it professionally, because it is a great job and a terrible career.

[@tactofu]

7 years in ALS. I always frame it to new providers as a stepping stone: get your patient care hours, get into nursing/PA school/anything else, then ride the ambulance for fun. Don't get stuck like we did. 😂

[@Dbb27]

I was shocked to find out what EMS are paid. It’s criminal.

[@steveipsen6293]

I am sorry our system has failed such wonderful workers. I hope you find satisfaction ultimately.

[@chrissavage1112]

3 years paramedic. The “you call, we haul” is such a frustrating issue. I wish I could tell my Pts to drive themself but I could lose my job.

[@hellhound7572]

Iv volunteered in a ambulance since I was 17 in Ireland and I cant imagine charging someone for care seems wrong. Even the Emts i know in the health service always agree.

[@ThePowerofJames]

Any time John talks about american healthcare, I always wondering if he is thinking "I miss the NHS"

[@velianlodestone1249]

Comparatively, yes likely - but compared to many countries in the EU the NHS is not quite the role model, it has many faults and a lot of these faults are copy-paste from the USA.

[@CollinMcLean]

@@velianlodestone1249 And I believe often self inflicted in an attempt by conservative politicians to privatize the NHS?

[@hollysaga]

When i was in new york my cousin got sick we called an ambulance they were shocked that he only was feeling sick they took us to the hospital and on the way they said “we must be rich” i was like wtf we finished everything we left they charged us $1800 for the ambulance ride!! We were extremely shocked because where we came from”saudi arabia” have %100 free health care and never crossed my mind that we will pay $1800 for 8 minutes ride

[@IrishAmericanVideos]

4 years in EMS. I love my job and I can't imagine doing anything else, but I've never had any less than 2 jobs and I usually have 3. And honestly, even with all of us working like maniacs, the understaffing issues that were there before the pandemic have only gotten worse. I agree with other comments. This doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of all the problems in EMS right now. But this is the first time I've seen someone outside of EMS draw attention to the problems and that is a step in the right direction.

[@mageyeah7763]

Our system effectively charges for the privilege of doing a worthwhile job. If I didn’t need money, I’d do this job for free. But rent isn’t free,

[@10sDPR]

From a former volunteer ambulance driver, thank you for your time and effort. You deserve appreciation, for a start.

[@TheYoutubeUser69]

Ever considered moving to Germany? We need EMS workers and you even get health insurance with it!

[@stefanjakubowski8222]

Well Republicans would say work harder or get a better job As a progressive, thanks and hang on

[@chaosflash912]

Bless you for your years of service.

[@JohnThePA]

EMT-B certified for 7 years and had to get out of EMS due to the poor pay and work conditions. I now work in an ER as a Physician Assistant and have said several times: EMS needs a federal mandate to be an essential service, paid by taxpayers.

[@darthnarak]

Feel so sorry for you and others like you. I just couldn't think that something that literally has 'Emergency' in the name is not officially considered essential. Moreover, I didn't even know that all those expensive ambulance bills go straight to big corporations rather than add to EMS funding.

[@Celestialbeing21]

This is ridiculously insane. WTF do I pay taxes for?!? For you to be mistreated and underpaid?!? I know it may not mean much, but I thank you for taking time to help people who could not help themselves, but I am sorry that people like me sat by and just let this crap happen. I still can't believe am just hearing about this...

[@phriedokra6158]

40 year LPN did NOT renew her license...no thanks and NO, not a dime of retirement folks!!

[@phriedokra6158]

Lucky for you...many LPNS decided to drop out of Nursing all together after feeling the love during the pandemic... I walked away from 40 years as an Lpn....no grandfathering in during the pandrmic it seems to ASN...

[@wilmaj3885]

In Finland, EMS nurses have a higher pay than other nurses.

[@matthewdecamp2737]

You're george Kermit skit got me in tears. Thank you Mr Oliver. And thank you to your writers and your team altogether. Love you guys.

[@IanPattisonOakville]

Here in Ontario EMS is provided by the municipal government and mostly funded by provincial health insurance. The cost of an ambulance is fixed at $240, all but $45 is paid by the province. These amounts have been unchanged since at least 1997.

[@michelleportch6227]

I don’t know who comes into yes, but I definitely agree to Canada

[@funveeable]

Whats the wait time for crushing your leg with a subway car?

[@firewalker1372]

@@funveeable good question. I’ve seen many many people go on about how cheap medical is in Canada. But I’ve also seen people say that comes at a price, waiting long periods of time to get treated. For example, I screw up my arm and need surgery in the coming weeks. That could take months in Canada. I don’t know this too be the gospel. We all know how arguments work here on KZbin and Facebook.

[@yobrodontshoot1130]

@@firewalker1372 Anecdotal story, but my mother damaged her knee in rural Ontario. Took 2 weeks for a non-emergency surgery to attempt to fix her knee, it failed, but they waived her for an experimental surgery for her which did the best it could. Rural Manitoba or out in the Maritimes might be a wildly different story though. People often forget how absurdly spaced out the populations are here. Some of the horror stories can come from people who live in the middle of the Praires. Edit: Ontario, Alberta and BC also have a tendency to attract a core amount of the specialists.

[@Horsedogz]

@@firewalker1372 I live in Alberta and have been to the ER for non-life threatening injuries so I was lower on the list for triage. Big city hospital, very crowded most times, but life-threatening, like a car accident and the like, you get seen to right away. It's not that bad of a wait to wait to see if your thumb is broken (4 hrs for me) when there's a constant flow of car crash victims and shootings. Never had to wait longer than 4 hrs for something, and never had to pay a dime either. Surgery dates can take a little longer yes, but never more than a couple of weeks, and we have the option for you to go get private care if you can afford/want to do so, so I still don't mind it either (again, life-threatening issues that need immediate surgery have almost no wait time).

[@Yoarashi]

my heart goes out to the artist who thought getting steady employment at HBO meant their days of drawing furry porn for a living were over

[@monirogue1570]

Hahaha this comment smacks

[@bobisadrummer]

At least they’re making more than people in EMS.

[@russetwolf13]

Jokes on you, furry porn was his passion.

[@Underpants678]

@@russetwolf13 are YOU the guy who got paid to draw furry porn for HBO

[@russetwolf13]

@@Underpants678 such a magical life that would be.

[@arachnofiend2859]

"Under the Reagan administration-" god dammit it's always fucking Reagan

[@dleet86]

Ron Reagan and Ron Ahmee are behind all the current clusterfrack America has become. If it's not due to Ron Reagan it's due to Ron Ahmee.

[@jemeeladams1197]

@@dleet86 facts

[@hello7032]

@@dleet86 There is only one solution, eliminate all Ron’s. Except Ron Swanson

[@jackiecooper9439]

And nobody bothered to fix it. Regan is dead & gone.

[@Ratoo]

10 or 20 years from now it will be always Bush.

[@Jack-Lack]

It's pretty nuts that EMS workers make $36k/year while ambulance trips are $3k/trip. They are probably bringing-in $2 million in revenue, but they hardly get the thinnest sliver of it.

[@HowToChangeName]

How to tell if anything is broken beyond repair -It involves private company -Reagan's antic

[@edisonlima4647]

"We are out of ambulances" is something one would expect to hear at the start of a zombie movie, as a shorthand for "society is crumbling".

[@DarkGob]

Instead, it's something we're hearing in reality as shorthand for "society is crumbling".

[@JuiceboxDesmond]

Something you'd expect to hear around 10:30 PM in Las Vegas, NV on October 1st, 2017

[@JordanJ1263]

Well to be fair it is a shorthand for “society is crumbling” in this real instance too

[@colinmartin9797]

It's actually super common, and not as scary as you'd think. You can't keep an infinite number of ambulances out there, and sometimes a large rush of calls can put at something called "level zero." It's rare for such an issue to really be a problem, it just delays the ambulance by a few minutes, and 99.999% of calls aren't going to be altered by that delay. Most cities have a 10-20 minute max response window as standard. You should be scared for the rural cities that don't have ANY emergency services.

[@Dygear]

It happens all the time ... ALL THE TIME.

[@strawbarry7834]

As a father of a daughter who is an EMT, I loved this piece, but wish John had talked more about the abhorrent conditions EMTs work under. For saving people's lives, she's paid literally less than she would be at McDonald's. Oh, and she gets to work 12-hour shifts in brutal, sometimes dangerous conditions, and has gotten injured multiple times on the job. Not to mention the equipment and vehicles they have, which sometimes don't even have working air-conditioners, despite the brutal heat of summer. And to those who might say "Well, she should get another job", I can't disagree, but these people are *dedicated* to their jobs. They just want to be treated like human beings, paid a living wage, and given the tools they need to save lives. A fucking parade is insulting on so many levels.

[@Novastar.SaberCombat]

We're collectively headed for doom (all humans) if we don't start realizing that we're the only ones who will be able to prevent us from destroying ourselves. After all... we've already done a WONDERFULLY efficient job of harming one another. For millennia. 🐲✨🐲✨🐲✨

[@QueenMegaera]

People who say "she should get another job then" better pray they'll never need an ambulance. 😠 We need these workers and they should be treated like heroes by their employers, not just clapping bystanders.

[@SusanMCraig]

I agree, a mere parade is so much 'flag waving' and of little real value... in Sweden, an EMT earns an average of $4,000 (my estimate equivalent with their Kroner) a month, England around $3K and a paramedic in Germany earns approx $4K.... People who save lives at the 'sharp edge' deserve much more than slave wages. Give her a hug from an old OR nurse who - as a student- chose that path in part due to a taking a shift with the local hospital EMTs. Thanks for sharing

[@network3492]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIrTi5qIe5VoqNU ?

[@djfour]

Speaking as a longtime EMT, I think we need to stop making false comparisons between us and McDonald's workers. They work very hard and get injured at work too. We all deserve better.

[@montanahudgens4946]

As an AEMT in NC thank you for shedding light on this subject! I love this field of work and I hope EMS can continue to grow!

[@carolinepersons4260]

Thank you for what you do.

[@mheberling5939]

Thank you John Oliver and your entire crew for producing this episode.

[@russelllong3561]

I used to be a paramedic. I went to school for two years to learn how to be one. To make 11 bucks an hour. I got out of that job field because the stress, the potential for injury, and the lack of pay is frankly mind boggling. I enjoyed that job. I loved helping people. I will not risk my life for pennies on the dollar, however.

[@danielcesar664]

I am shock to learn paramedic dont make money it seems so insane

[@penname8441]

+

[@richardadavis123]

You shouldn't. Thank you that you did.

[@carolynfox704]

Where in the country are you, if you don't mind me asking? I'm a brand new EMT. One class that was 2 nights a week for 6 months, I've been in my first job for about a month, and I'm making $14/hour... I do work for a private transport company, though, not actual EMS.

[@ThePaultyree]

@@carolynfox704 where I live in RI Baristas can have a base pay of 14-16 an hour plus tips.. EMS works deserve more.

[@meadowrae1491]

Are we not gonna talk about DeBlasio's translator? He was amazing

[@tashumbriamiller]

Right! I saw him and was memorized. Went back to watch again...lol

[@Blue-ej7rw]

I always wonder if they're translating what they really say

[@idan4411]

John has really let me down on this issue.

[@heavenlyspiritualwarrior7236]

🤣😅

[@nahajaha]

No, this was about a far more important issue

[@krystyneguarente70]

I imagine most of us Americans have a "we drove dying instead of calling an ambulance" story.

[@sarahquinn6849]

Just found this video and it hits so hard atm, my partner lives in the states and recently had a medical emergency but she had to refuse an ambulance cause it would have cost $4,000 not to mention the nearly $2,000 for the hospital treatment even with insurance We later worked out that in my country, even without insurance everything (ambulance, hospital stay, meds, etc…) would have cost a total of around $300… Yet some people still seem to think anything other than the American system will cost them more??? It makes absolutely no sense to me

[@vatsalamolly]

I was a student living abroad in Germany. I had an injury to my lower back which made it impossible for me to walk, and I had to call an ambulance to deal with it. Afterwards when I was home and fine and was telling my mom about how it all went, she hesitatingly asked me how much was I gonna have to pay. Her friend's daughter had once called an ambulance while studying in the US and few days after she was sent a bill amounting to over 2000USD. Her only treatment at the hospital had been a bed for the night and some saline solution. I told mom that I pay health insurance every month and I don't think I have to pay anything. A few days later, I did get a bill for my emergency hospital visit and it was 10 euros, which included the ambulance, my 7 hours in a hospital bed, an X-ray and the few different pain medications I had received in the night.

[@KiraDaBeastNY]

@@ASS_ault And this is why my intention is to leave this country 😐

[@danielr.y5261]

@@ASS_ault In some you have to pay an afordable copay, at most. And no copay at all if you're absolutely broke (as in no income and virtually no savings).

[@krempelritter9950]

This bill you recieved really only covered the hospital bed, and you've been 'overcharged', since 10€ is what they charge for a day in the hospital (they charge per day, not per hour). So you could have stayed 17 hours longer without any extra cost. Believe it or not, the rest like X-rays, meds even surgery and hospital food are FREE. God damn us Germans - we really are a bunch of dangerous socialists ;)

[@deadinside8781]

Welp. Germany it is. Gluten tag! Plus last I check tuition is affordable meaning if I have children they'll be able to EAT.

[@Jenny-tm3cm]

One stay at a hospital is the same cost as many months rent for me, which takes so long to save up. Hospitals are forbidden, only for the rich

[@grandfire]

The irony of throwing a parade for EMS is that it actively makes their job harder - parades make routing around a city really difficult.

[@TheGuindo]

they could've taken the money it cost to throw that parade and used it to give bonuses to all the EMTs in the city instead, but nah

[@MattCouzensMusic]

Also, it will cause more covid cases which will make their jobs harder again......

[@Warraci]

That hypocritical jagoff DiBlasio laid off EMT's, made sure they are paid less than fire fighters, and even monitored their times using the bathroom. He can go sod off

[@Buffalo_Crone]

@SEIU @Teamsters @AFL-CIO this is stunning and horrible. Thank you #JohnOliver for bringing this up!

[@thankyouverymuch]

I don't think the parade was really for health professionals. I think the parade was for the mayor so he could say he values the health professionals.

[@LSF7]

I'm so blessed to be living in Goa, India. We have a free ambulance service from the Government and a choice for private ambulance service too, costing no more than $30.

[@jhjang8047]

I'm Korean. A few days ago, I called an ambulance and went to Emergency room (bcs urinary stone). In the emergency room, I went through all the processes such as blood tests, X-ray, urine tests, CT, and got 5 days' of medicine. In Korea, emergency rooms are twice as expensive. But all of this(with ambulance,) cost about $200. Oh. You know, Americans hardly don't go the hospital even if they are sick because of the burden of medical bill. so they often go to the hospital after the disease is already seriously advanced. This doesn't help with medical development either. Recently, A lot of Americans who study medicine are going to study abroad to intern and residency in other countries.

[@mthlaxer]

As an EMT myself, thank you for this piece. More people need to be made aware about this.

[@FartMeltonProductions]

stair chair...?

[@peachscentedskulls]

@@FartMeltonProductions burrito swaddle the oriented ×0 patient?

[@thefourshowflip]

I was in EMS for several years and I never knew we weren’t considered an “essential service”…. The only thing I wish he went into further (perhaps for a future story) was what happened when we get injured…I’ve been fighting with my workers comp since 2012 and it’s a nightmare. I’ll be brief because it doesn’t take much to show how shit those insurers can be; I initially had a spine injury (3 herniated discs in L-spine) had a fusion in 2014…had a disc in my neck finally give out in 2019 and had it replaced with an artificial disk and my insurance’s attitude on that is that I haven’t demonstrated how my neck is connected to my back injury….I mean, I know we’re not anatomists, buuuuut I’m pretty sure that the connection between neck and lumbar is that it’s literally connected (and for further context…I’m in my mid 30s with no history of any musculoskeletal issues prior to my injury. It’s not like I’m now in my 60s and there’s some justification to question whether age was a relevant factor.).

[@tzeroftokyo]

Can I interest you in some pizza 🍕?

[@FartMeltonProductions]

@@thefourshowflip No of course that's due to work the awkward lifts we do on a daily basis are horrible. I've met so many EMS workers with back issues its insane. Plus it just goes to show what the government values by considering fire and police essential while ignoring emergency medicine.

[@mirandarichards3239]

Thank you. My husband has been a paramedic for almost 18 years. He gets paid $17 an hour so he planned to work the 20 years needed to retire with his pension. Once he retired he was going to go back to school to become a nurse in the emergency department. Last year the company he works for announced they were doing away with the pension program.

[@shadesofvioletcat]

Oh no that sucks butt

[@Iamzani]

O.I.A. only in America. I love America but your system is so fked

[@RazielTheUnborn]

That's crap. I am, as a contract worker, getting paid $18 a hour just to tell people how their insurance works.

[@maizee3018]

I'm a medic.... I make 16 an hr. As an emt I made 12-13.

[@alphieshikwambana]

@Miranda Wait, so if they get rid of the Pension program, what happens to the money he accumulated over the years?

[@thesweetone]

So many of these amazing videos by John Oliver always makes me say one simple thing: God Blass Canada 🇨🇦 🇨🇦

[@MMpaintedpalm30]

This is an incredibly eye opening video. Thanks for uploading it.

[@stephanielawson8707]

As an EMT currently working a 48 hour shift, I feel both seen and triggered by this video lol thank you for shedding light on what we are all dealing with though

[@nicksmith1313]

Long shifts suck. Hopefully dispatch leaves you alone for 5 minutes later. Stay safe.

[@10sDPR]

From a former volunteer ambulance driver, thank you for your time and effort. You deserve appreciation, for a start.

[@ilenastarbreeze4978]

@@nicksmith1313 long ones do... From the sounds of it hes eorjing 2 days straight

[@JP-oe4ry]

48 hour shift, that's horrific! Here in Finland Its 24 hours on 72 off!

[@nicksmith1313]

@@ilenastarbreeze4978 Yes. Shifts like this are another problem in EMS.

[@LucaSitan]

A friend of mine (German) visited the US for a couple of weeks in 2019 and the immigration officer at the airport grilled her, thinking she wanted to live there (as she was traveling alone). She literally burst out laughing at the idea. This is why.

[@konoha-kun4024]

@@ASS_ault Why not? I would ...

[@eziosblade3]

I am German-American, as a Kid Like 10 or so i was wanting to live in the US, to an extent i'd still want to but when i got older and learned about Things yeah all i can do is laugh, because No way in hell will i give away Basic human rights, Sure the EU isnt Perfect, but Beats the US in so many ways

[@Bagledog5000]

My wife faced a similar grilling when she came to visit me before I graduated form university. Immigration went so far as to call and ask if she was my wife, and what we had planned for living arrangements, implying we were going to try to game the system. I laughed and said, "as soon as I graduate, I'm moving to Japan and we're going to live there, we have no intention of staying in America." When they asked why I said, "because the party of NO! sucks, end of story." Nothing I've seen in the last ten years has made me regret my decision to live in Japan, nor changed my opinion of the GOP for the better. BTW, ambulance rides are free in Japan, hospital bills are a fraction of what they are in the states, and the food is better as well.

[@Thomas_Schwarzenbacher]

@@Bagledog5000 Did the Olympics change your mind at least a little bit? I think that could have been handled better (e.g. don't do it during a worldwide pandemic, just a thought)

[@notabene7381]

“A friend of mine was in Scotland recently. He got very, very sick. They took him by ambulance and he was there for four days. He was really in trouble, and they released him and he said, ‘Where do I pay?’ And they said, ‘There’s no charge.’ Not only that, he said it was like great doctors, great care. I mean we could have a great system in this country.” ― The Donald @ The David Letterman Show, January 2015 “If you can’t take care of your sick in the country, forget it, it’s all over. I mean, it’s no good. So I’m very liberal when it comes to health care. I believe in universal health care. I believe in whatever it takes to make people well and better.” ― The Donald @ Larry King Live, October 1999 “We’re going to have insurance for everybody. We’re going to have a healthcare that is far less expensive and far better.” ― The Donald @ interview with The Washington Post, January 2017

[@kurthill9070]

0:29 is brought to you by "Prostitute Mickey"

[@eldritchteletubby9319]

1:13 This interpreter is really not getting enough credit for the level of sarcasm they are able to portray. Kudos.

[@Fedakeen]

Allow me to correct the statement, "Absolute hell these workers went through last year." What John meant to say was, "Absolute hell these workers continue to go through."

[@catherineprescott45]

Spot on Dirt!!🥲😛

[@JeanLucCaptain]

Yes covid has simply highlighted and underscored these problems that already existed. in that way covid might actually be a goods thing. ITS FINALLY forced people that did not want to face the reality of how FUCKED our system is to face it.

[@Jakster840]

A few days ago there were less than 40 open ICU beds for the city of Houston. Hope you don't need to be into intensive care because a bunch of morons refuse to get vaccinated.

[@minermike61]

Are you referring specifically to choreographing the Tik Tok videos?

[@funveeable]

@@JeanLucCaptain why don't you ask the Canadian or UK healthcare system and see how they feel about Covid.

[@LoganSumrell]

As a 20 plus year paramedic, thank you for bringing this to the attention or more people.

[@soheljapanwala]

Behind all that funny stuff...I appreciate and respect all that you are doing for the social cause!!

[@callum4387]

Watching this from the UK, this is mad!

[@happysideoffear777]

It's really every "essential worker". The fact that we called everybody heroes but no one wanted to give them a raise. And no one wanted to make sure their quality of life was decent.

[@sea_triscuit7980]

Because that takes money away from the real heroes... Politicians

[@henrytawnn8694]

Um, we bought them pizza and put up some nice signs, though. It's almost the same as a living wage and hazard pay.

[@manchesterunitedakamrtread8317]

And they continue to vote this pple

[@Shuizid]

Giving them a raise costs money - and we need that money for penis-rockets so mentally 7year old billionaires can go to space and come up with amazing ideas like shooting garbage up there... And that is way more important, because corporate-Jesus said those with money are the better people and true heroes are happy being heroes and don't need food or healthcare. So fck essential workers, fck veterans, fck everybody!!11! MURICA!!!111

[@kathleenrobertpogue6818]

I'm a janitor at a college. I got no hazard pay while I was cleaning collage dorms from people all over the world. The secretaries in the office got a 1000$ bonus and hazard pay.

[@MillerSean]

I've watched this twice immediately after returning home from an ambulance call. More proud than ever to volunteer for an organization which offers FREE service to our community. We're in a rural area, and routinely transport patients to the nearest Hospital which is an hour away. Doesn't cost them a dime.

[@attesmatte]

People like you are what makes this world a better place! ❤️

[@sallysmith1982]

god bless you

[@Aeriesan]

This is amazing and warms my heart!!

[@cjwhitmore1881]

Thank you for what you're doing! I'm also from a small town with no hospitals nearby. It's an hour drive to the nearest small one, and 3 hours to a big one if something really serious happens. It's not uncommon for someone to be airlifted and have medics take care of them while in the air. People like you are the ones that continuously save the lives and protect the health of our rural friends and family. Thank you!

[@stevenhoward1233]

People like you freaking rule!! What town??

[@kaspernielsen9149]

Thanks John everytime I watch your show, I feel more lucky to live in Denmark

[@jonmce1]

Whenever I see things like this, with all our faults and there are many, I am so glad to live in Canada.

[@billdwyer2522]

when i was in germany last year i woke with severe abdominal pain. ambulance showed up within 5 minutes, the emt asked me a few questions and correctly diagnosed it as a kidney stone, and 2 weeks later when i walked out of the hospital i got a surprise too: they gave me no bill and told me to go home.

[@onedaya_martian1238]

It can be done !! Now here is a $10 Amazon gift card and don't tell anyone this again. /s

[@Arltratlo]

so, you like communist countries...?

[@Darca1n]

@@Arltratlo I think you don't understand what communism is, or that it's not present in germany.

[@Arltratlo]

@@Darca1n funny, but most times people call Germans Nazis??

[@nkechi0122]

@@Arltratlo huh It is not the 1930s or 40s anymore lol and nazism is strongly looked down upon in Germany now….atleast from what I know and unless you’re using sarcasm

[@prettyevil6662000]

Brussel's ambulance siren sounds like a halloween ghost that starts wobbling when you walk in front of it.

[@thedapperdolphin1590]

My thoughts too, but now I can’t get the image of Goofy railing Mickey out of my head.

[@dancepiglover]

I know what you’re talking about.

[@tygrkhat4087]

@@thedapperdolphin1590 It flips the joke. Mickey and Minnie are in divorce court. The judge says to Minnie, "You wish to divorce your husband on the grounds of mental instability?" Minnie replies, "Oh no, your honor. I just said he was fucking Goofy."

[@tygrkhat4087]

I don't care what John says, that Belgian siren is creepy AF.

[@network3492]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIrTi5qIe5VoqNU ?

[@wks99]

The Mickey joke deserved a live public.... laughed so hard

[@scottball6431]

So glad your taken on the plight of these essential workers I hope you can help them get what they deserve

[@scottball6431]

@Ariah Hadleigh we have the pandemic of the unvaccinated people who listen to stupid people their taking horse dewormer

[@hindelang3]

I once broke my spine while cliffdiving in a little canyon in germany near the austrian boarder. I called an "ambulance" and in 15 min a first responder litterly run towards me for assitence. After around 30 to 45 minutes i got picked up by an austrian helicopter because all the german ones where ocupiet. They then flew me around half an hour towards, not the most close hospital but rather the best equipt for my broken bones. Then they picked my up with a ambulance to get me from the helicopter to the hospital. Then i got a 4 hour operation and to this day i only paid 110 bucks because you pay 10€ a day for the hospital stay.

[@4philipp]

I think that co-pay it tipped out at €140

[@qifeng]

Wow.

[@jaycorby101]

In America it wud hundreds of thousands... I spent 9 days in the hospital with pneumonia... 95k... Luckily i had insurance and had to pay 2500

[@benjamins.10]

I cannot even imagine what that would cost in the US, even with many insurances.

[@shashwatsharma2596]

Dude, That's the ideal system, isn't it.

[@lucy_____6023]

We live in a day where people take Ubers to go to the hospital since it is much cheaper than an ambulance.

[@corporateservants269]

$4,500 last time I went in an ambulance. That's not including the ER costs 2.

[@rochester212]

You pay for ambulance services? Where do you live?

[@einCAA]

To be fair, an Uber doesn't have any medical equipment or people knowing how to use it onboard. So it is obvious that an ambulance has to costs more than an Uber.

[@robinmitchells]

One of my favorite tumblr posts goes “if I get into a serious accident call an Uber because I’m not paying $5000 for a trip in the wee-woo wagon” and as funny as that is, it’s also a sad sign of our correct state of affairs

[@PopularNobody]

@@rochester212 America

[@LeRoiJojo]

Kermit must go crazy every time George Clooney applauds in a concert.

[@buildingabetterportsmouth9612]

You hurt we squirt 😂😂🤣🤣😂😂🤣🤣😅😅😅😅😅. I know this a serious video and issue - but that line was phenomenal

[@StevenzGuitarCovers]

I'm a paramedic and I would never have expected John Oliver to bring this all to light. Most of us don't get into this field for the pay, but it sure would be nice if we had the same benefits that police and fire have to take care of us, and our families, when we retire. For those of you who didn't know this stuff, welcome to private EMS. The company I work for also had PPE shortages during COVID-19 and we were asked to recycle N95's. Not to mention most of our ambulances have well over 200,000 miles on them. I hope this inspires change for my fellow coworkers in this field.

[@tactofu]

Spent 5 or 6 years working privates before I moved stares and found a cluster of not-for-profit third service agencies in NY. Still not paid what I'm worth but there is light at the end of the tunnel if you keep looking. Good luck pal.

[@deomnibusdubitandum1759]

- "Socialism doesn't work!" - "But the Western European and Nordic countries are doing great with it." - "That's not real socialism! They're basically capitalist." - "Okay, let's adopt their policies then." - "No, that's socialism."

[@augusttierney3199]

All of our ambulances are far over 300,000. Unfortunately, we often get warning lights on them and kind of have to just shrug them off. We also only were given 1 N95 for every 3 days and had to use reusable gowns.

[@howisthatgay4275]

Private? Man that’s a good shape ambulance for HFD (Houston) lmao

[@augusttierney3199]

@@howisthatgay4275 yeah, I cannot lie though, it is drastically improving for us, but that’s because we were bought by a big company that recognizes the reason everyone is so underemployed is because nobody wants to get paid $11/hr. They’ll never get us new ambulances though 😆

[@mot0jo]

Shout out to the artist who had to convince their family they were drawing and animating Mickey getting fucked on a laundry machine "for work". You the real MVP. 🙌

[@hailmammonmoments7568]

The best part was not knowing it was goofy...but knowing it was goofy.

[@googiegress7459]

@@hailmammonmoments7568 You don't need to hear the "GAWRSH!" to know it was 100% Goofy

[@xyzv8640]

Their family? Why that?

[@justinstraughan3155]

@@hailmammonmoments7568 He Fyuhks.

[@msluna4022]

Minnie's not gonna be happy that he fucked goofy

[@ArrioChoi]

Thank you for making aware of the poorly treated, forgotten profession.

[@theblackshawarma3605]

As a German, I sometimes feel bad about the things in my country. Then I watch another one of these and suddently I'm feeling pretty good again

[@Misssmexxii]

As my co-worker said "f*ck the appreciation, put it in my paycheck."

[@vanbusto8870]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmmsf4Sra7l1ga8

[@andiward7068]

Every time my SO gets work swag I ask if we can trade it back for job security.

[@burgerkingas7027]

Ahh, the age-old adage, "Don't thank me, pay me."

[@Author.Noelle.Alexandria]

@@andiward7068 My SO may be one of the luckiest workers in the US. His company gives security AND swag. When one of his coworkers was struggling during the lockdowns, they had her take a couple months off…paid…since they said they could tell she needed some mental health time. When she was ready to come back, her position and everything was waiting for her. Several months later, and you’d never be able to tell she took time off since her career trajectory hasn’t suffered for it. I really wish more companies were like this. When companies give a damn, workers are loyal. The turnover rate at this company is VERY small.

[@Markle2k]

That’s what you say when you are getting neither. Shit work conditions suck even when you get a living wage and compensation. Just ask actresses getting pressured for blowjobs and intercourse while being offered lucrative roles. They didn’t audition to be prostitutes for the producers.

[@portalcrisis]

As an EMT, I can confirm this is entirely true and it's more wide spread and extreme than even this episode communicates. I know people who go to college for years only to end up full time at a fire department that pays them sometimes less than $9/hour. And what's going on at TransCare is actually common practice among private EMS everywhere I've seen, and is only the tip of the iceberg of what goes on. I know one place that refuses to provide glucometer strips to their ambulances (for checking blood sugars), telling their medics to just "go find some".

[@jonbus766]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmmsf4Sra7l1ga8

[@Invirulent]

EMT here as well. If you can find my comment please read it and tell me if my experiences match yours.

[@zenplus6515]

This is the kind of thing the "defund" people were trying to change with their unfortunate mantra. It's restructuring emergency services.

[@pratiikkaushik8285]

As an EMT who recently quit, the few months I worked at a busy urban EMS service in central VA almost burned me out. I'd wanted to go to med school for literally like 5/6 years at that point and 3 months into that service made me question all of my life decisions. After I joined, they had recently upped the pay to $17/hr, and we had benefits as well, so I'm considering myself incredibly lucky pay wise. However, the entire time I worked there, I kept thinking that I would gladly take a $2/hr pay cut to work at Target. My service was and is the ONLY paid EMT only service in a 50 mile radius at least, and the stuff I saw was scarring AF to this day.

[@isidoreaerys8745]

I still remember my parents telling me that my our insurance, provided by the fire department, did not cover an ambulance and we were NEVER to enter one if we were involved in an accident at school

[@Linetlm3]

Living in Brussels, the sirens threw me off for a second. I thought my window was open

[@vanbusto8870]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmmsf4Sra7l1ga8

[@dr.doomstar5875]

Watching this show as an European is a real rollercoaster.

[@dr.doomstar5875]

... scary at the moment but funny because it doesn't effect the real life

[@adrielsebastian5216]

Honestly be grateful you're in Europe, healthcare in America is shit

[@WalkmanYT]

@@dr.doomstar5875 That's literally not even how roller coasters work

[@faraaq]

It needs to work on the headscarf banning in the guise of equality lol

[@kokorochacarero8003]

Europe? I live in fking south america and this still looks insane

[@sinrock85]

Loved the Clooney bit!! Rolling lol

[@ChineduOpara]

Honestly I already have a clause in my Living Will - I would rather be left to die, than call an ambulance.

[@pbs36]

Today's episode of "American Capitalist Apocalypse": "EMS is not considered an essential service".

[@NittanyTiger1]

This show should be called "Last Week in Predatory Capitalist America."

[@donovanlocust1106]

@@NittanyTiger1 because capitalism is so evil!!

[@clartigue10]

@@donovanlocust1106 this but unironically

[@covodex516]

@@donovanlocust1106 it's not capitalism thats inherently evil. nobody here said that. but look at the US and yeah, that fucking shits stupid as fuck.

[@donovanlocust1106]

@@clartigue10 capitalism isn't evil. Sure it's not the best but every other economic system has failed.

[@melodyhutting-anderson7012]

Had an ambulance take over 40 minutes because the only available EMS was a volunteer organization 3 towns over....my town had "run out" of ambulances...meanwhile my 80 year old patient continued to bleed into her brain while I was helpless to get her to the hospital. We need to fix this ESSENTIAL service!! We love you, amazing EMS warriors ❤️

[@cheerfulsatanist]

I didn't actually thought that was only an issue in rural areas predominantly because of lack of hospitals and therefore a lack of ambulances and private companies tend not to want to go there because there's no market for them that's profitable enough. But it very much happens in the city as well but for different reasons. It's not at all uncommon for an ambulances take up 20 to 45 minutes to arrive on scene in urban or underdeveloped areas at least not without police escort first.

[@craigmono5883]

@@cheerfulsatanist very much an issue in urban areas as well. Urban areas have a high density of Medicaid recipient's, Medicaid reimburses very poorly, therefore, whether a private service or a fire department, someone is taking a financial loss just taking that call. So services struggle to pay well, leading to poor retention, leading to less ambulances, etc.

[@kristyrobinson1979]

In Queensland, Australia.. our ambulance is covered by a 2$ levy on electricity bills per quarter. Thank goodness.

[@king-pn4bj]

And we've got some of the best trained and equiped paramedics globally in Aus.

[@Ladyrosieparks]

I would love it if you would do a segment on FOR-PROFIT Child Protective Services