(Columbia) May 21, 2003 - A bill to get more money
for the state's trauma centers has been introduced in
the General Assembly. The bill would set up an advisory
council to seek grants and a steady source of funding
for centers currently operated by volunteers, such as
extra fees on traffic tickets.
Supporters of the bill say the state's six most
specialized trauma centers lost more than $18 million in
2001 because about a quarter of the patients are too
poor to pay for the costly lifesaving treatment. A lack
of funding has forced trauma centers in some parts of
the country to close.
The bill's sponsor, Representative Denny Nielson,
almost lost her life after being hit by a tractor
trailer, "The trauma center, the trauma doctors and
nurses, and finally the rehabilitation center made sure
that I could be here today to tell you how important our
trauma centers are."
Supporters gathered to announce the bill included
17-year-old Wimberly Briggs, who almost lost her life in
a hit-and-run accident a year ago. The now healthy
teenager says the trauma center saved her, "When you
need it, you're really glad it's there."
Palmetto Health Dr. Raymond Bynoe says trauma centers
are suffering, "You're talking about a great deal of
resources spent to be prepared. It's kind of like a fire
station."
Bynoe is now one of only six trauma surgeons in the
state. Three years ago there were 11 and there are other
cutbacks.
MUSC closed its burn unit last May, which was the
only one in the state. Georgetown Memorial cut its
trauma center. Self Memorial in Greenwood has no
director. Carolinas hospital system in Florence has
dropped a level in trauma care.
The bill has a slim chance of passing this year
because the Legislature adjourns on June 5th. The
measure probably will be taken up when the session
resumes next January. The big question with these types
of legislation is where would the money come from. Some
of it would be grants, some might come from a surcharge
on traffic tickets. The sponsors are hoping to iron
those details out during the break at the State House.
Reported by Megan
Hughes
Updated 5:57pm by BrettWitt
