NOVEMBER 20, 2001 - Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services Director Kathleen M. Wilbur announced today that the State Trauma Commission will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, November 28, 2001 in Grand Rapids to receive comments from interested persons concerning the status of trauma care in Michigan.

The hearing is one of nine scheduled across the state, including Marquette, Sault Ste. Marie, Gaylord, Detroit, Kalamazoo, Flint, Saginaw/Bay City and Lansing. The hearings are required under Public Act 440 of 2000, which created the Trauma Care Commission.  Information obtained from the public hearings will be included in a report to the Governor and State Legislature that will make recommendations regarding the delivery of trauma care.

“We encourage health care professionals and members of the public, as recipients of emergency medical services, to participate in the hearings and give their views on the condition of trauma care delivery in Michigan,” said Wilbur, who chairs the commission. “Their testimony will help the Commission develop recommendations for the most effective method of providing trauma care.”

Public Act 440 requires the report to include recommendations for: fiscally responsible model policies for a statewide trauma care system, classifications of trauma care facilities and services, coordination of communication between persons who provide the first response to a trauma incident and trauma care providers, and rapid transport of persons to an appropriate trauma care facility. In addition, the report must examine the unique needs and constraints of rural communities and communities located adjacent to the border of this state and another state in a statewide trauma care delivery system.

The Commission is composed of representatives of hospitals, health care purchasers or payers, ambulance service providers, consumers, and the Department of Community Health as well as the chair of the Emergency Medical Services Coordinating Committee. The Commission is required to file its report by July 1, 2002.

Hearing Date             Starting Time            

Nov. 28, 2001           3:00 p.m.                

Location

Eberhard Center

Room 215, Second Floor

Grand Valley State University

301 W. Fulton, Grand Rapids, MI  49504

For those unable to testify in person, written comments will be accepted at the following address or E-mail address until Thursday, February 7, 2002 at 5:00 p.m.  Address communications to:

Michigan Department of Consumer and Industry Services

Bureau of Health Services – Trauma Care Commission Hearing

P.O. Box 30670, Lansing, MI 48909-8170

Attention: Diane R. Lewis, Policy Administration Manager

E-mail address: diane.r.lewis@cis.state.mi.us

Read more Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services press releases.