211.490 Legislative findings concerning provision of trauma care.
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<![CDATA[ Page 1 of 1 211.490 Legislative findings concerning provision of trauma care. The General Assembly finds that: <br>(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; <br>(3) Trauma care is significantly limited in many parts of Kentucky, particularly in rural areas where there is a growing danger that some communities may not have <br>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 <br>is when the potential for survival is the greatest and the need for treatment for shock <br>or injury is most critical; (5) Kentucky's emergency preparedness efforts require the establishment of an efficient statewide trauma care system that can be mobilized to save the lives of trauma <br>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-<br>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 <br>greater economic impact of lost wages and productivity and to reduce the incidence <br>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 <br>continued community access to trauma care. Therefore, financial assistance is <br>needed to support existing trauma centers and establish new trauma centers. Effective: July 15, 2008 <br>History: Created 2008 Ky. Acts ch. 25, sec. 1, effective July 15, 2008. ]]>