KRS 211.490: Legislative findings concerning provision of trauma care.

The General Assembly finds that:

(1) Trauma is a severe health problem in this state and a major cause of death and long -

term disability;

(2) Trauma care is an essential public service;

(3) Trauma care is significantly limited in many parts of Kentucky, pa rticularly in rural

areas where there is a growing danger that some communities may not have

adequate emergency care;

(4) It is essential for persons in need of trauma care to receive that care within sixty

(60) minutes immediately following injury, referred to as the "golden hour," for that

is when the potential for survival is the greatest and the need for treatment for shock

or injury is most critical;

(5) Kentucky's emergency preparedness efforts require the establishment of an efficient

statewide traum a care system that can be mobilized to save the lives of trauma

patients who are victims of terrorism or natural disasters;

(6) Trauma centers save lives and money because access to trauma care can mean the

difference between full recovery and serious disability that requires expensive long-

term care and results in a loss of economic productivity;

(7) Regional preparedness planning has identified trauma care as a priority, and some

grant funding has been obtained to initiate trauma care planning;

(8) It is in the best interests of the citizens of Kentucky to establish an efficient and

well-coordinated statewide trauma system to reduce costs of medical care and the

greater economic impact of lost wages and productivity and to reduce the incidence

of inappropriate and inadequate trauma care and emergency medical services; and

(9) Existing trauma centers are facing an increasing number of uninsured patients,

declining reimbursement, and rising malpractice insurance premiums that threaten

continued community acce ss to trauma care. Therefore, financial assistance is

needed to support existing trauma centers and establish new trauma centers.