I'm so upset! I wanted to help - and caused nothing but trouble!

[Karen]

I would protest, and write letters, and get local officials - and especially the media- involved. I am sure any reasonable person would have done what you did! Maybe they can get her some sort of device to help her, to boost the doorbell, etc., given her medical condition!

[Asiel]

Kirsten don't feel bad about what you did--- the same thing happened to me a few yrs back. I was chatting on the phone with a good friend when she heard a loud noise and then I went silent but she could hear me breathing pretty loud. After not getting a response from me she dialed an ambulance and then called my husband's work. Lucky for me she did that, I had fallen asleep but fell with the phone under me, which is why she could hear breathing. I've had narcolepsy plus a few other problems for ages but never told anyone about it. Had she not cared enough to worry and call for help I would have gotten in worse trouble yet. After being pulled through the whole thing I made sure she and a few others that were close to me knew about some of the problems that I could encounter.
If I was her I would fight that bill though--- over here nothing like that would ever happen. I find that so strange.

[Scooter's Mom]

I think you're such a caring friend! You absolutely did the right thing!

[Kirsten]

Karen, yes, I was already thinking about getting the media involved because I think it's scandalous that she's has to pay this bill. No one will care for anyone else anymore if it ruins you financially!

Asiel, yes, that sounds like a similar situation and I'm glad you got help! I think the difference is that my friend was fine - just asleep - when they opened the door. If there was an emergency case, her health insurance would have been in charge.

Scooter's Mom, thank you. Everyone's telling me I did the right thing, but now I caused her so many problems. I'm really upset!

[pomtzu]

You did the right thing, and in no way should you feel bad about it. You'd certainly feel worse if it had been a true emergency and you chose to do nothing.

[moosmom]

I echo EVERYTHING said here! I hope MY friends do what you did if they can't get ahold of me. That is my biggest fear, dying (God forbid!) alone!!

If I were your friend, I'd fight it.

[Freedom]

Kirsten, you did the proper thing, and I'm glad you did, too.

Back 10 years ago, when I was still in the apartment and my Dad had moved in with me, he was talking on the phone to my brother. I had gone to lie down, and fell asleep. Dad had a low blood sugar reaction and stopped talking to my brother. Bro called the local police, they sent an ambulance. I woke up to the doorbell. As I wandered down my hallway to the kitchen to release the door, the banging started at my apartment door (another tenant let them in the building). Now I could see Dad, and could see he was in distress. I opened the door, ready to tell the person to call 911 while I helped Dad and . . . there was the help we needed!

Around here, we've had many false alarms, seems to be a teen thing to do this summer. Many areas are starting to bill the parents for the costs. One kid phoned in saying he was out in the bay in a canoe and had dropped his paddle, couldn't get back, then shut off his phone. Coast Guard searched for 2 hours while police worked to backtrack the phone - to a private home!

I think the bill is automatic in your situation and the appeal process is in place to make corrections.