The taxpayer's money is a sensitive subject and everyone should feel a level of confidence that your elected and appointed officials are spending your tax dollars wisely.

            If government officials allocate donations to non-profit groups they should be held accountable for the tax dollars they dole out.  The best way to do that is to keep your finger on the pulse of the group.  The best way to do that is to become a member of that group and attend their meetings where you will get a copy of their monthly financial reports that you can share with other elected officials while you're volunteering to help the organization.

            It's a win-win.

            If you can't be a firefighter or fire police member, sign up to be a social member and help out in the fundraising or business end of the group.  It will be appreciated.

            . If you can't be an emergency medical services responder, sign up to be a member of their board.  It's a great way to get a copy of their monthly financial reports while helping them out.

            A few years back, the local ambulance group suggested that a member from each municipality that donates to it send a representative to sit on their board of directors.  Well, it was tried but fell apart.  Serving on the board is a task that some couldn't fit into an already full schedule.

            Emergency medical services are a tough call.  They can easily spend $2,000 or more on one ambulance response and get less than half of that from insurance companies or government-funded medical services.  Why? Because that's the maximum those services will pay, no matter what your cost is.  That's the way it is.  Billing a patient for the remainder is often a lesson in futility.

            Maybe we should be directing some of our concern towards the Pennsylvania Legislature and the state insurance governance to review the discrepancies.  When was the last time it was looked at and upgraded to keep up with increasing costs?

            Having a second pair of eyes looking over the figures isn't a bad thing.  Heck, it might help point out things you may be doing incorrectly.  So, don't be offended, and don't be an offender.  We all have to work together for the good of all.

            But that second pair of eyes needs to remember that they may be looking at legally protected information.  Dollar signs are one thing but confidential and personal information is another and plenty of it is protected in these days of hacking and sharing improperly.

            Municipal officials would do well to set up a written standard of exactly what information they are requesting in their "ask for financial reports" so as not to run afoul of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).  Names, conditions, social security numbers, insurance, and other personal information protected by HIPAA should never be on a financial summary report.  Municipal officials should acquaint themselves with that law prior to setting up the information requested and reviewed by all parties and agree upon. 

            The door of trust must always swing both ways.