S-5348.1  _______________________________________________

                 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 8430

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      54th Legislature     1996 Regular Session

By Senators Franklin, Deccio, Wojahn, Moyer, Schow, Thibaudeau, Winsley, Rasmussen and Goings

Read first time 02/14/96.  Referred to Committee on Health & Long‑Term Care.

Requiring a study of reimbursement of undercompensated and uncompensated trauma care facilities.

    WHEREAS, The Legislature established a comprehensive state-wide emergency medical care system in 1990; and

    WHEREAS, Trauma care is an essential and beneficial component of the emergency medical care system; and

    WHEREAS, Increasing pressure and demands are being placed upon the trauma care system state-wide; and

    WHEREAS, Standards for facility, equipment, and personnel for trauma care and pediatric trauma care were established by September 1990 pursuant to state law; and

    WHEREAS, By July 1993, the department of health was authorized to designate hospitals and health care facilities to provide designated trauma care services; and

    WHEREAS, There is a lack of financial resources to meet the needs of the trauma care system, which has never been properly funded;

    NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By the Senate of the state of Washington, the House of Representatives concurring, That the department of health shall conduct or cause to be conducted a study on all costs, charges, expenses, and levels of reimbursement associated with providers of designated trauma care services; and

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the department of health prepare a report that includes recommendations for reimbursement of undercompensated and uncompensated trauma care at designated trauma care facilities state-wide.  This report shall be submitted to the appropriate committees of the legislature by July 1, 1997.

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