The decision by the Board of Selectmen to bill insurance companies for our ambulance volunteers’ work and some of the public reaction to the decision raises several questions. First, why did the board make the decision without insisting on discussion among the board, the volunteers, and town residents? The last time billing was considered publicly, there was much gnashing of teeth on all sides of the issue. Many were relieved when the topic of billing was dropped and our EMTs got on with providing all residents with aid when called. Those many would have liked to be heard when the question of billing came up again.
Second, why should volunteers be chastised for quitting when the nature of the work they volunteered for changes? If they want to spend their free time training for and providing life-saving services, it doesn’t make sense to think that what they really want is to wait around hospitals for forms and to spend time filling out paperwork. And it certainly doesn’t make sense to criticize them for acting when their jobs change and they’ve had no say in the decision.
Third, is it too late for the selectmen and the EMTs to reconsider their decisions? The selectmen are right to look for revenue and savings; the ambulance volunteers are right that they didn’t sign up for the paper chase involved with insurance. Surely, someone can help mediate the sides back to where they were before everyone left town for the summer and we can try this one again. Leo? Lucy? Peter? Ron? Tim?
Laura Andrews
Scott Road
