The Monroe County Commission wants more input from doctors and other medical professionals before requiring hospitals to notify patients they can choose a tax-supported county helicopter for non-emergency transfers between hospitals.

Monroe County taxpayers pay about $2.5 million a year in property taxes to subsidize the Sheriff's Office Trauma Star helicopter program. The commission passed an ordinance last year that limits county residents' financial liability to the amount their health insurance pays for the air ambulance service, which is used primarily for emergency trauma calls.

The County Commission was scheduled to vote Wednesday on Commissioner Mario Di Gennaro's proposal making notification to patients mandatory, but postponed the vote because commissioners had too many questions on costs, effects on patient care and possible liability issues.

The commission also wants to ensure the county does not lose the private air ambulance service LifeNet, which now serves as primary provider for air transfers between hospitals. Commissioners agreed the county needs two medical helicopters.

Marathon resident Bill Hollis, who suffered a heart attack in December, told commissioners he requested Trauma Star, but was denied. He said he was stabilized at Fishermen's Hospital in Marathon, so his case was not considered an emergency -- despite doctors ordering him flown to a Miami hospital.

Hollis, who said he canceled his health insurance because he couldn't afford it, was flown via LifeNet. The bill, he said, was $20,204.

"It's financially destroying us," Hollis said of he and his wife. "We asked for Trauma Star and were refused. It's totally unfair."

Others residents had similar stories, saying hospital officials told them Trauma Star was only for emergency trauma calls, such as traffic accidents.

Several doctors and hospital officials who spoke insisted that they make decisions based only on what's in the best medical interest of the patients. Lower Keys Medical Center CEO Nicki Will and Dr. Ros Chan, who works at LKMC, said it would be inappropriate to ask patients financial questions.

"The last thing on a physician's mind is cost-related issues," said Chan. "Decisions should be made in what is in the best medical interest of the patient."

Keys cardiologist Bruce Boros was the only doctor who spoke for the need for hospitals to set up protocols for notifying patients that Trauma Star is an option, and that they would not be charged for the flights.

The commission plans to assemble a panel of hospital managers, doctors, fire and emergency workers to establish protocols for patient notification.

County Mayor Sylvia Murphy reminded those at Wednesday's meeting that Trauma Service is not free, as $2.5 million a year in property taxes fund the rescue helicopter. She wanted to know if using Trauma Star for interfacility transfers would significantly increase costs to taxpayers.

Also on Wednesday:

• The commission postponed consideration of a referendum to create a special taxing district in the Upper Keys, with proceeds funding a waterfront park. The referendum would apply to property owners from Tavernier to north Key Largo, excluding Ocean Reef, and involve an annual assessment of $25 for every $100,000 in taxable property value.

• The commission overturned a policy that allowed elected officials serving on the Monroe County Tourist Development Council to miss more meetings than other board members. A previous County Commission had changed the policy to exempt elected officials from the rule that TDC board members be removed if they miss four meetings, or three consecutive meetings, each year.

tohara@keysnews.com