We are all acutely aware that trauma care is costly. Recently, some trauma centers have been affected by financial constraints and as a result have downgraded from a Level I to a Level II Trauma Center. In an effort to address the financial burden of trauma centers, Senate Bill 64 has been recently introduced. This legislation adds a surcharge of an additional $100 per DUI conviction or suspension to be deposited into the trauma center fund which gets distributed to over 60 trauma centers statewide. This bill was initiated by the Illinois Trauma Advisory Board and through the work of Phil Zaret, MD, John Barrett, MD, and Patricia Hickey, RN, a sponsor was identified. Senator Ira Silverstein introduced this bill and it went to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, February 20, 2001. I went to Springfield and offered verbal testimony in favor of this bill. It unanimously passed through the judiciary committee and is headed for the floor of the senate. I urge all those in the health care system with any connection to trauma to call their state senator and voice your support of this bill and when the time comes, call their representative in support of this important funding initiative. Working through the Chicago Committee on Trauma, we have tried to assist legislative initiatives that have been focused on trauma care. It is anticipated that passage of Senate Bill 64 would help to generate approximately 3.7 million in funding for trauma centers in Illinois.

Last year, I participated in the ACS Capital Hill Visit Program one thing I took away from my visit was that legislators want to hear from the physicians in their community. For too long physicians have remained the silent minority, talking only amongst themselves. In order for physicians to positively affect healthcare in anyway, we must take a more active role and communicate with our legislators. Talking to one another, in the lounge or hallways, is of little benefit to our profession or patients. It is time to reach out and contact the people who have the power to get things done legislators who are the policy makers. We need to do this so we can continue to provide optimal care to our patients.

Facts on SB64

Trauma (injury) is the leading cause of death for all persons under age 47.

1/3 of people who die following trauma could be saved if transported to a trauma center.

Illinois has 67 designated trauma centers and a trauma system that works.

Trauma centers are costly to maintain due to their intense resource requirements.

The Illinois Trauma Center Fund currently provides 3 4 million dollars annually to the trauma
system.

This funding barely scratches the surface of total costs.

In 1999 43% of vehicular fatalities involved alcohol.

2 people die per day in Illinois due to intoxicated drivers.

Alcohol is involved in approximately 40% of trauma center admissions.

We are targeting the intoxicated drivers given their involvement in traumatic injuries.

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