WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Jack Reed's (D-RI) bill to upgrade the nation's trauma centers became law on May 3rd, when President George W. Bush signed into law the Trauma Care Systems Planning and Development Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-23).

This legislation authorizes $12 million this year and doubles funding levels through 2012 to help more local communities establish statewide and regional trauma systems. The bill will also create a new competitive grant program for states that have already begun the process of establishing a trauma care system using national standards. Companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives was authored by Representative Gene Green (D-TX).

"I am pleased to have worked with Congressman Green to make this bill become law. Our legislation will help more cities like Providence devise a strategy to ensure that severely injured patients receive the best possible care," said Reed, a member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee. "This law will help establish critical care networks nationwide so that more paramedics and first responders can get trauma care patients to the right doctor at the right time."

Survival among severely injured patients requires specialist care delivered promptly and in a coordinated manner. Trauma care begins at the scene of injury, continues through the emergency department, and on into the hospital operating room and intensive care unit. In 2004, nearly 30 million people were treated for an injury in U.S. hospital emergency departments, of which nearly 2 million injuries were serious enough to require hospitalization.

"We must ensure that our trauma care providers have the tools and resources necessary to plan, prepare, and coordinate the smooth transition of care and proper interventions," said Reed. "This legislation will help states develop and implement quality trauma care systems to assist trauma victims and prepare for emergency disaster situations."

While great strides have been made in the field of trauma care, only about half the states have developed trauma care systems and it is estimated that about 20,000 to 25,000 deaths from unintentional injury could be preventable each year. This new law will help improve collection and analysis of trauma data by creating a Clearinghouse on Trauma Care and Emergency Medical Services.

"Tragic events such as the horrific fire at the Station Nightclub are a solemn reminder of just how important these emergency services can be," said Reed. "It is essential that our trauma care providers have access to the best available resources so that they are able to serve our communities and save lives."

The Trauma Care Systems Act reauthorizes funding for the Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA) Trauma-EMS Program through fiscal year 2012 to all 50 states. The legislation authorizes $12 million for fiscal year 2008, $10 million for fiscal year 2009, and $8 million for fiscal years 2010-2012.