Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 13, 1997
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Governor signs trauma care center measure

TACOMA - Gov. Gary Locke signed a measure today which could help restore trauma care services to communities such as Tacoma and help ensure currently served communities across the state with trauma care services do not lose care in the future.


Tacoma has not had a designated trauma care center since before March of 1996 when the state was supposed to have a fully operational statewide trauma care system. No hospitals in the area agreed to take on the designation, citing issues such as non-reimbursed costs associated with treating trauma victims. Communities with a trauma center, such as Yakima or Aberdeen, are considered at risk of losing trauma care services if they have high unemployment or a high proportion of residents without health insurance. Trauma victims may include people involved in auto accidents, drowning incidents or shootings.


With Locke's signature on Senate Bill 5127, two methods are created for helping fund the designation of trauma care centers and for providing trauma care services. A $5 fee on all traffic infractions except parking tickets, and a fee of $6.50 on the retail sale or lease of new or used motor vehicles are expected to generate almost $17 million during the 1997-99 biennium. The funds will be deposited in a new dedicated trust account, most of which will be administered under a grant program established by the state Department of Health. The department will disperse these funds to regions based in part on the ability of regions to come up with at least $1 for every $4 they would receive from the state account.


Locke emphasized the measure is not a complete solution. "This new law is an important step toward a solution, but it's not the finish line for Tacoma or any other community in this state with trauma care system needs," Locke said. "Communities across Washington now will have another tool to help them provide vital trauma care services."


Across the state there are 70 designated trauma care centers, ranging from Harborview in Seattle, the only level-one center in the state, to level-five centers designated in some of the state's more remote rural areas.


Providing trauma care services requires special training and facilities designed to meet the health care needs of people facing life-and-death situations. Trauma care goes beyond basic emergency room services and involves costs for which providers may not be compensated.


The financial implications of accepting a designation as a trauma care center is reverberating throughout the state. The trauma care system the state began creating about 7 years ago and which has been touted as a leading edge model for the nation could be stalled unless local leaders help devise solutions.


"With strong local leadership, this new law should help us achieve designated trauma centers in every community identified in the state plan," Locke said. "Ensuring the long-term viability of the trauma care system, in financial terms and otherwise, will depend on continued effort and leadership from all communities."

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