FRANKLIN Co., Va. (WDBJ7) More than one in five people in Franklin County are using the ambulance and emergency room for their primary care, according to a 2013 Carilion survey. It’s stressing the system, and now some in that area are trying to find out how they can fix it.

When people use the ER like this, Carilion says they take beds away from people who need it more. And they tie up ambulances, potentially leading to longer waits for people with serious emergencies.

He created a task force, with help from Carilion and about a dozen organizations. The goal is to fund and provide public transportation for regular medical care, regardless of age. Patricia Robertson says she could use it to get care in Roanoke.

The Disability Rights and Resource Center is coming up with money for the program. They estimate it will cost $200 thousand per year. They’re beginning to raise funds and hope to get the program going in the next year and a half.

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