By Wes Ogilvie

The Dawson County Hospital District, which funds and operates Medical Arts Hospital and its associated EMS system, recently approved putting "In God We Trust" on their ambulances.

Personally, I’m not offended. It takes a lot to offend me. And if it was a private entity, I’d be disinclined to say much simply because the market has a way of sorting out these things.

But here’s the deal: Medical Arts Hospital and its EMS system is operated by a government entity and receives tax money. There is case law that either side can cite regarding the appropriate role of religion in the public sphere.

There are going to be zealots on either side who will be perpetually offended if God (regardless of the name that you choose to use) is mentioned — or not mentioned — in public.

Here’s where I get at least mildly annoyed, though. First, I can think of many better topics for the hospital district to spend time on. Second, even if it’s a minimal amount of money being spent, public servants have an obligation to spend public funds judiciously.

With EMS funding already being pretty minimal, even a $50 paint job to add "In God We Trust" to an ambulance might be better spent replacing consumable supplies.

I also think the Medical Arts Hospital CEO, as well as any EMS leader, should draw attention to the ambulance service for its high-quality care, progressive and evidence-based protocols, and state of the art technology for patient assessment and care; not for religious controversy.

About the author

Wes Ogilvie is a Texas licensed and nationally registered paramedic as well as a Texas attorney. He blogs at www.theambulancechaser.com. When he’s not knee-deep in contracts or patient care, he’s passionate about good barbecue and EMS education. He’s currently employed in state government, where he does not deal with EMS regulation, volunteers his weekends as a paramedic, and is an instructor in several EMS disciplines including his position as an adjunct assistant professor of emergency medicine at the University of Nevada.