Latest news with #MarnivonWilpert
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ambulance rides in San Diego just got more expensive — this is why
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — For the fifth year in a row, the City of San Diego is raising its ambulance transport fees — this time by 18% over the next three years. But city leaders insist: most patients won't be impacted. The San Diego City Council approved the increase unanimously Tuesday, pushing the total hike since 2021 to just over 32%, according to reporting from The San Diego Union-Tribune. The cost for the most advanced level of ambulance service will rise from $3,151 to $3,717. Despite the eye-popping numbers, city officials say the increase will mostly impact insurance companies, not patients. Only about 11% of ambulance patients — those with private insurance — may be affected, The San Diego Union-Tribune also reported. Patients with Medicare, Medi-Cal or no insurance won't see any change, thanks to a state law — AB 716 — that caps those charges at fixed rates. Celebrities spotted running in San Diego's Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Councilmember Marni von Wilpert emphasized the hikes are tied to increasing costs from the city's private ambulance providers — Falck USA and American Medical Response (AMR) — who are billing the city $4.7 million more this coming fiscal year. 'We need to make sure we are doing the most competitive cost containment for our residents and delivering the best service,' von Wilpert said. The rising fees come as the city reconsiders how it runs emergency medical services. While a recent partnership with Falck and AMR has been financially successful, city leaders are exploring whether to bring ambulance services in-house — something cities like Los Angeles and, more locally, Chula Vista have already done. The San Diego Union-Tribune noted that Fire Chief Robert Logan said any move toward a city-run ambulance service would start slowly, possibly beginning with low-level emergency calls, while private companies continue handling life-threatening situations. In a twist, this year's rate hike — like last year's — skipped a required committee review before heading to the full council. That move appears to violate council policy, though no council member appeared to raise concerns during the vote. As the debate over who should run San Diego's ambulances continues, one thing's clear: the cost of care is rising — even if most patients won't see the bill. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Applications now open for teacher housing program in San Diego
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Applications are now open for a recently launched teacher housing program in San Diego. Housing Opportunities for Public Educators, also known as or H.O.P.E., offers teachers hope that they can continue to afford to live in the communities they serve. The program will provide financial and homebuyer assistance to certified teachers within San Diego Unified as well as Poway Unified. 'With financial assistance, mandatory counseling and expert guidance through the homebuying process, this program empowers teachers to live in the communities they continue to enrich, while not using taxpayer dollars,' Councilmember Marni von Wilpert's office noted in a press release on Saturday. Did the roaring '20s-era castle in National City ever find royalty? The process is straightforward: interested teachers must first reach out to the Urban League of San Diego County to begin their application. This can be done by emailing housing@ or calling (619) 266-6237. Once approved for a mortgage, participants will work with a real estate professional to find a home that meets their budget and family needs within San Diego County. Throughout the process, LISC San Diego will provide a minimum of $40,000 in assistance per family, which can be applied at any stage during the homebuying journey. Councilmember Marni von Wilpert, who has been a staunch advocate for affordable housing, expressed her enthusiasm about the program. 'Our teachers are an essential part of our communities. But for too long, many of them have struggled to afford homes in the communities where they teach,' she said. 'In partnership with LISC San Diego and Urban League of San Diego County, we are turning the dream of homeownership into a reality—one teacher at a time.' The H.O.P.E. program is seen by many as a critical step in addressing the challenges faced by educators in an area where the cost of living continues to rise. It offers a solution that will help teachers live in the very neighborhoods they serve, providing stability for families and greater community cohesion. Eligible educators are now encouraged to apply for this new program. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Teacher housing program launches in San Diego
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The City of San Diego is on track in helping teachers to be able to afford a home in a part of America's Finest City. It's all part of a new program called HOPE and that's exactly what the city, a private developer, and partners are trying to give to San Diego teachers — hope that they can continue to afford to live in the communities they serve. The HOPE program provides financial and homebuyer assistance to certified teachers. This is a $1 million grant that is privately funded by Lennar Home Construction. The City of San Diego has been working with the company and together they've came up with a development agreement to make this possible. Councilmember Marni von Wilpert and partners announced the details of this grant at a news conference Wednesday morning. Teachers within San Diego Unified as well as Poway Unified will qualify. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
