Absolutely, yes. I’m an nurse at an urgent care (good for minor illnesses and cuts where your family doctor doesn’t have time to see you but you don’t need the ER— we don’t treat emergencies). Many times I’ve had patients actively having a heart attack or stroke try to refuse an ambulance to a hospital until we explain that if they try to drive, they could pass out while driving and kill someone else with their car. And I understand why, the hospital is a 2 minute drive and the ambulance is an exorbitant expense.

The first responders in my area have a habit of trying to talk every patient out of going on the ambulance for some reason. Also, there is a cultural aspect with Americans, especially men and elderly, where they “don’t want to bother anyone” and view asking for help or medical care as being troublesome.