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Trauma

Since 1993, the Designated Trauma Facility and EMS Account has helped offset uncompensated trauma care costs in designated trauma facilities. A portion of the proceeds from the Driver Responsibility Program have been the main source of funds for the account since 2004. Since 2006, only a portion of the funds collected have been appropriated and distributed. By the end of the current biennium, the fund is projected to have collected some $300 million not appropriated to support the state’s safety net hospitals.

THA is a founding member of the Coalition to Protect Care
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These financial resources are important to Texas hospitals and the communities they serve. Since 2004, the number of designated trauma facilities has increased by 8.9 percent from 234 to 255. Still, 84 counties do not have a designated trauma facility. Having a statewide trauma system benefits everyone, and the state should support this resource with funds intended for that purpose. Texas hospitals want to maintain and strengthen the state’s trauma system.

The Texas Hospital Association tracks legislative and regulatory activity related to trauma/emergency care and funding to keep members informed.

Comment Letters

June 7, 2010, Letter to Texas Department of Public Safety re: DRP workgroup recommendations

THA comment letter re: proposed rules to regulate freestanding emergency medical care facilities (March 29, 2010)

Legislation

None at this time.

Resources

Driver Responsibility Program and Trauma Funding

Video: Trauma Funding on the Ballot in Houston: Houston voters urged to vote yes for Proposition 3. View.

Fact Sheet: How the Driver Responsibility Program Helps the Texas Trauma System (PDF)

Written testimony for June 8, 2010, hearing in Amarillo

THA Trauma Program Survey (February 2009)

Texas Department of State Health Services EMS/Trauma Systems

Driver Responsibility Program

Education