HOUSE BILL REPORT

2SHB 1713

BYHouse Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Braddock, Ballard, Sprenkle, Vekich, Lux, Haugen, Holm, Sayan, Winsley, Anderson and Baugher)

Creating a committee to study and design a trauma care system for Washington.

House Committe on Health Care

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (10)

      Signed by Representatives Braddock, Chair; Day, Vice Chair; Bristow, Brooks, Bumgarner, Cantwell, Lux, D. Sommers, Sprenkle and Vekich.

House Staff:Bill Hagens (786-7131)

Rereferred House Committee on Transportation

Majority Report:  The second substitute bill be substituted therefor and the second substitute bill do pass.  (24)

      Signed by Representatives Walk, Chair; Baugher, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Cantwell, Cooper, Day, Doty, Fisher, Fox, Gallagher, Hankins, Haugen, Heavey, Jacobsen, Meyers, Patrick, Prince, Schmidt, Smith, D. Sommers, J. Williams, K. Wilson, S. Wilson and Zellinsky.

House Staff:      Robin Rettew (786-7306)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 13, 1988

BACKGROUND:

At this time, there is not a comprehensive trauma care system in the state of Washington.  Existing care is fragmented and inconsistent.  A significant problem exists in rural areas where trauma care is often dependent upon volunteer pre-hospital care providers.  Once a victim has been stabilized, the transport time may be in excess of an hour.

SUMMARY:

The bill creates a steering committee which will recommend an independent party to analyze the state's trauma system.  The Trauma Care System Trust Account in the State Treasury is created.  Monies shall be transferred to the Account from the Public Safety Education Account, or other sources, as appropriated.  If a state trauma care system is not created by June 30, 1992, the fund shall revert to the Highway Safety Fund.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENT(S):  Correctly indentifies the reporting entity.

Appropriation:    $250,000 to the state treasury.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 20, 1988.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    (Health Care)  Janet Griffith, DSHS; Dr. Lothar Pinkers, Washington State Medical Association; Susie Tracy, Washington State Medical Association, Washington Ambulance Association; Steve Hubbard, American Ambulance Association; Sheryl Robinson, St. Lukes Hospital; Susan Sheehy, Tacoma Fire Department; Robb Menaul, Washington State Hospital Association; Tom Richburg, North Central EMS Council; John Sinclair, Washington State Council of Firefighters; William L. Sieg, Washington State Association of Fire Chiefs; Dr. Mike Copass, Harborview Medical Center Emergency Room; Ronald Maier, American College of Surgeons, Committee on Trauma.

(Transportation)  Susie Tracy, Washington State Medical Association and Washington Ambulance Association; Janet Griffith, Emergency Medical Services, Department of Social and Health Services; Lothar Pinkers, Washington State Medical Association; Susan Budassi Sheehy, Tacoma Fire Department; Michael Copass, Harborview Medical Center; John Sinclair, Washington State Council of Fire Fighters.

House Committee - Testified Against:      (Health Care)  None Presented.

(Transportation)  None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    (Health Care)  Such analysis is needed to address current deficiencies within the state's trauma system.

(Transportation)  Many emergency room cases are the result of traffic accidents.  Establishing a dedicated account to fund the study and possible implementation of a state trauma care system should be considered by the Transportation Committee.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      (Health Care)  None Presented.

(Transportation)  None Presented.

VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Yeas 91; Nays 2; Excused 5

Voting Nay: Representatives Holland, Lewis

Excused:    Representatives Allen, Fuhrman, Hankins, King P, Williams B