Drop in Trauma Funding Puts Lives on the Line

The state legislature approved $23 million for Georgia's trauma care hospitals.  Advocates note this is less than half the money received  last year and are worried about responsive cuts in service.  Art Kellerman, associate dean for health policy at Emory School of Medicine, notes this amount is not enough to sustain the system, nevermind strengthen it.  The state's trauma network needs $80 million a year to continue current services and expand to underserved areas.  More than one million Georgians currently live more than 50 miles from a trauma center, putting them beyond the "golden hour" when emergency caregivers have the greatest chance of saving someone's life.  Trauma care centers offer a range of services above and beyond those of an ordinary emergency department.  Grady Memorial Hospital is metro Atlanta's only Level One trauma hospital and services those in Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Coweta, Douglas, Paulding, Cherokee counties.  Grady loses approximately $40 million a year providing trauma care and received only about $13 million in trauma funds last year. 

Losing any of Georgia's 15 remaining trauma centers would put Georgians' lives in jeopardy.  Victims of serious accidents and violent attacks depend on the trauma system every day for life-saving care.  Without experienced trauma care soon after an injury, survival chances are greatly diminished.  We hope the Georgia legislature will address these concerns during the next session and adequately provide for trauma care in Georgia.  If you've been seriously injured due to the negligence of another, please call Kaufman Law, P.C. at 888-973-2540 for a free initial consultation.

Labels: