That doesn't surprise me one bit, and the reason might not be only economical, but you guys are not going to like my opinion on this...
Let's face it, most HAM operators are OLD... And often opinionated as to what they should be doing and how. If I was a Red-Cross administrator, I'd probably think twice about having those guys around, brandishing their orange vests and police-looking call-sign badges... It would seem that it might create more problems than solving any, not to mention that some of them might have to be evacuated along with the victims following a coronary trying to lift an old boat anchor... Now, it's not always like that and I am sure some clubs are top-notch with able bodies, but I don't think it is the norm...
KE8SOK is right. IMHO it would be much better to operate outside of official agencies. Access might be a problem, but if they don't want HAM operators, that's that... Just provide the best help you can with your group/club without creating more issues or interfering. It's all fun and games until you have to hike up a mountain with no sleep for two days... Then you become a liability, not an asset.
Ultimately I think that these agencies need to have HF NVIS capabilities. While it doesn't have to be HAM, that's where the talents are... I do understand their position though.
Personally my radio emergency plan concerns myself and a few friends first. If I can help my community, so much the better of course, but that's just the cherry on top of the cake. I don't want to pay for classes then work for free on top of that, when I can just maybe help as a private citizen, even along others.
I suspect less and less agencies will include amateur radio in their plans, and yes, it might bite them in the ass some day, but I don't think it is any loss to us HAM operators...
Gil.