Co-Sponsorship Memo Details

In the near future, we plan to introduce legislation that will help to address declining outcomes and inequitable funding formulas for PA trauma centers.

Research has shown that patients in high volume PA trauma centers with moderate to severe injuries achieved better patient outcomes than those in low volume trauma centers. However, PA is in danger of declining outcomes due to the ongoing interest and pursuit of hospitals in achieving Level II trauma center accreditation near already accredited Level I and II trauma centers.  

Additionally, the current funding formula found in the EMS Act requires that 10% of funding is allocated to Level III trauma centers and caps how much funding a Level III trauma center can receive.  As a result, allocated funds are frequently left undistributed.

In order to address these growing concerns, my legislation will:

• Require that future applications for Level I and II trauma center accreditation must be greater than 25 miles away from a neighboring Level I, II, or III trauma center.This 25-mile restriction has existed since 2004 for Level III trauma center applications.
• Establish the same volume criteria for Level II adult trauma centers as for Level I adult trauma centers (600 patients) since both levels require the same optimal level of patient care.
• Revise the funding formula to allow for reallocation of undistributed Level III trauma center money to Level IV trauma centers in rural counties as defined by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania.Currently Level IV trauma centers do not receive funding through the EMS Act. This funding should lead to increased development of a broader trauma network that addresses currently underserved areas.
   

We hope you will join with us in co-sponsoring this legislation to help address our declining trauma center outcomes and the current inequitable funding formula.