SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5061

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Health & Long-Term Care, February 26, 2003

Title: An act relating to the emergency medical services and trauma care system trust account.

Brief Description: Prohibiting money in the emergency medical services and trauma care system trust account from being transferred to other accounts.

Sponsors: Senators Thibaudeau, Deccio, Winsley, Franklin, Rasmussen, Carlson and Parlette.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care: 1/29/03, 2/26/03 [DP-WM].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report: Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators Deccio, Chair; Winsley, Vice Chair; Brandland, Franklin, Keiser, Parlette and Thibaudeau.

Staff: Rhoda Donkin (786-7198)

Background: In 1997, legislation passed which established a funding source for the state's trauma care system. The emergency medical services and trauma care system trust account was established as an appropriated account in the state's budget. It is funded through fees generated from the sale or lease of any new or used vehicle, and from surcharges on traffic infractions. The money has been used in the form of grants to the 80 trauma care centers around the state to help offset the cost of participating in the trauma system. It also has been used to pay enhanced Medicaid reimbursement rates to physicians, hospitals, emergency medical technicians, and rehabilitation centers to support the high cost in providing trauma care.

Total appropriations for the fund in the 2001-2003 biennium were $25.1 million, of which $14.9 million went to the Department of Health and $9.2 million to the Department of Social and Health Services. There was no further appropriation in the 2002 supplemental budget. In the 2002 legislative session, the emergency medical services and trauma care system trust account showed a $6 million balance above the amount that had been appropriated for the biennium. That money was transferred to the state's general fund, along with other dedicated accounts, to help offset the state's budget deficit. In March 2002, there were insufficient funds available to pay for current billing to trauma care providers, and to date, the department has suspended enhanced reimbursement payments to trauma care providers.

Summary of Bill: Money in the emergency medical services and trauma care system trust account is not transferred to any other fund or account.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: This funding must be protected to ensure that the trauma care system set up over the last four years will be maintained.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Len McComb, WSHA (pro); William Long, Swedish Medical Center (pro); Lori Morgan, Tacoma Trauma Services (pro).