December 5, 2005

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm has signed legislation that will improve emergency medical care for Michigan citizens by laying the foundation for a statewide trauma care system.

The primary goal of the legislation is to eventually apply a standard for trauma care across the state, especially in rural counties with less access to emergency medical care.
 
“These laws will help ensure Michigan citizens are receiving the best care possible when faced with trauma injuries, from the moment EMS personnel arrive on the scene through recovery and rehabilitation,” Granholm said.  “As one of only five states without a trauma system in place, this legislation addresses a major health issue here in Michigan.”

The three bills create the Statewide Trauma Care Advisory Subcommittee (STCAS) to assist the Michigan Department of Community Health (DCH) in crafting a plan to develop and implement the framework for a statewide trauma care system.

Details of the three-bill package are below:

HB 6102 (Public Act 582) amends the public health code to add a section that would require DCH to develop, implement, and promulgate rules for the implementation and operation of a statewide trauma care system within one year after STCAS is established.  Upon implementation, DCH would be required to review and identify potential funding mechanisms and sources for a statewide trauma care system.

HB 6103 (Public Act 581) adds the definition of “statewide trauma care system” in the public health code as “a comprehensive and integrated arrangement of the emergency services personnel, facilities, equipment, services, communications, medical control authorities, and organizations necessary to provide trauma care to all patients within a particular geographic region.”

HB 6104 (Public Act 580) creates STCAS and charges it with advising and assisting DCH on all matters concerning implementation and development of a statewide trauma care system.  The subcommittee would be made up of ten members of specific backgrounds in the medical field, and its recommendations regarding funding and sources for the system must unanimously pass the subcommittee before they could be submitted to DCH.

The bills take immediate effect.