> There are parts of the U.S. that do this already. Ambulance rides are already subsidized by taxpayers in most places, thanks to public funding for fire departments; and a growing number of places have taken this further.

Indeed, in my county that's the case along with a $60/year subscription program to indemnify yourself against further costs:

https://www.wake.gov/departments-government/emergency-medica...

Finding out about this program was such a relief. I haven't worried about the prospect of having to call 911 since signing up.