Core Viewpoint - The ongoing issues with "shanzhai ambulances" (illegal ambulances) in China highlight a significant imbalance between supply and demand for non-emergency patient transport services, necessitating a structured and regulated approach to address the problem [2][3] Group 1: Current Issues - The recent reports from Dazhou City regarding exorbitant charges for ambulance services, including 120 yuan for hospital admission and 700 yuan for discharge via illegal ambulances, underscore the urgent need for regulatory action [2] - The "sky-high ambulance" incident in Jiangxi, where a private hospital employee charged an additional 17,000 yuan beyond the standard fee, illustrates the ongoing challenges in managing ambulance service pricing and quality [2] Group 2: Proposed Solutions - A comprehensive strategy is needed to create a well-structured, reasonably priced, and effectively regulated non-emergency transport service system, which includes both top-down guidance and local experimentation [2] - Establishing a unified official booking platform or hotline is essential to connect legitimate services with public demand, ensuring that patients can access reliable transport [3] - Implementing a tiered service model based on patient needs and equipment requirements, along with transparent pricing standards, will help address the diverse demands of the population [3] - Continuous multi-departmental supervision is necessary to monitor service providers, pricing, and quality, including mechanisms for tracking transport routes and handling complaints [3]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the urgent need to improve the non-emergency medical transport service system in China, especially in light of increasing diverse and personalized medical needs [1][4]. Summary by Sections Incident Overview - A father in Jiangxi complained about a charge of 28,000 yuan for an 800-kilometer transfer of his critically ill child, leading to an investigation by the Jiangxi Health Commission [2]. - The child was in a critical condition and required urgent transfer, which was facilitated by a private hospital's ambulance due to the lack of suitable vehicles from the original hospital [2][3]. Public Reaction - The incident sparked significant public debate, with some arguing that the fee was exorbitant and questioning potential kickback practices, while others defended the cost given the emergency nature of the transfer and the use of advanced medical equipment like ECMO [2][3]. - The Health Commission's response was criticized for not providing clear details on what constituted unreasonable charges and the basis for reasonable pricing [3]. Systemic Issues - The article points out that public ambulances in China rarely handle inter-provincial transfers due to regulatory and resource allocation issues, with emergency services primarily focused on local needs [3][4]. - The current system's limitations were highlighted, as the urgent nature of the child's condition did not fit neatly into existing categories of emergency and non-emergency transport [4]. Regulatory Recommendations - There is a call for the government to enhance regulation and oversight of the medical transport sector to eliminate gray areas, as evidenced by the family's payment directly to the driver's personal account without any receipts [4]. - The article emphasizes the need for a standardized non-emergency transport service system, with clear responsibilities, processes, and transparent pricing to address the growing demand for such services [4].