Urgent: Immediate Action on your part is requested

April 25, 2009

Excerpt from TETAF: updated changes-

Urgent action is needed to stop legislation

CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TO STOP PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION THAT WOULD REPEAL

FUNDING FOR THE TEXAS TRAUMA SYSTEM

WHAT?

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB8

96> &Bill=SB8

96

Senate Bill 896 by Sen. Eliot Shapleigh (D-El Paso), that proposes to

repeal the Driver's Responsibility Program, was voted favorably from the

Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee on Monday, April 6,

2009. Sen. Shapleigh and some other senators believe the surcharges imposed

by the program are onerous and impact low-income Texans who are unable to

pay the additional penalties. In this view, they apparently fail to see

that the program directly supports the care of those without insurance when

they are injured.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? The Driver's Responsibility Program is a point system

that institutes surcharges and penalties on habitually bad drivers, who

often require the life-saving services of Trauma Centers and EMS in Texas.

The program serves as the primary source of funds to offset uncompensated

trauma care provided by hospitals designated as trauma centers in Texas.

Since 2004 these hospitals have provided over $1 billion in uncompensated

trauma care costs, or $200 million per year, while the fund has appropriated

over $239 million during this same period. Funds from the Driver's

Responsibility Program also directly support the trauma system in Texas, as

funds are allocated to trauma service area regional advisory councils and

emergency medical service providers. SB 896 is a major threat to the Texas

EMS and Trauma System!

WHAT HAPPENS NOW? The bill was voted favorably from the senate floor and is

in the House Transportation Committee.

WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT THIS ATTACK ON TRAUMA CARE? Contact your

Representative and those on the House Transportation Committee today to let

them know that the Driver's Responsibility Program is working and is

critical for the Texas Trauma System! Ask them to vote NO on SB 896, AND

support fully disbursing all funds collected into the account. When the

Driver's Responsibility Program was passed in 2003 there were 188 designated

trauma facilities in Texas in 133 counties, and trauma centers were being

forced out of business. Today, in large part due to the success of the

Driver's Responsibility Program, there are 245 designated trauma facilities

in 164 counties in Texas. The program is helping to save lives and improve

care for all Texans! In addition, they should clearly understand: the Texas

Driver's Responsibility Program directly supports the care of low-income

Texans and preserves their access to care when they need it the most.

Representatives and media outlets should hear from trauma and emergency

health care providers to hear how funds from the Designated Trauma Facility

and Emergency Medical Services account have improved care in their

representative districts. You can be the difference where these issues are

concerned.

WHY ME? Because you are a dedicated provider of trauma and emergency health

care and Representatives need to hear your dedication to saving lives!

HOW DO I DO IT? Go to http://www.house.

http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/welcome.php>

state.tx.us/members/welcome.php and

verify who your representative is. Contact their office directly and ask to

speak

with the Representative or staff person assigned to health care issues and

tell your story! Sharing specifics on how this funding has helped your

area, hospital or provider would be helpful in making your point and if

possible describe what it would mean if this funding were taken away.

Letters sent on letterhead via fax or e-mail are also encouraged. Ask your

Representative to vote against SB 896 and to support appropriating all the

funds in the Designated Trauma Facility and EMS Account, as intended by the

78th Texas Legislature..

EMS, TRAUMA AND ACUTE CARE PROFESSIONALS DEDICATED TO THE CARE OF ALL

TEXANS!

A. Allman, EMT-B

Director Of First Responder Operations

Hawley Volunteer Fire Department FRO

P.O. Box 175

Hawley, Texas 79525

david.allman@ hawleyfiredept.com

April 25, 2009

Wouldn't it be better to come up with a comprehensive health care plan for all

Americans and quit hanging on to piece meal approaches that have not validated,

or proven a set outcome? From what I've seen more money is poured into salaries,

mileage, room, board, airfare, partying, , renting meeting rooms for about 500

or so folks from their employers, and out of their own pockets. Then you have

the full and part time jobs created for many former retired state employees, or

folks they could be on a political buddy system. After that many get to take and

spend some money, and then take money from another pot to pay large dues to be a

member of regional organizations. This was never well thought out, or well

funded with proven scientific results to show a single dime made a difference.

If you through enough money at something maybe it will stick. Isn't that what

the latest " tea parties " were meant to do. Send a message to things just like

this. That's what I heard at the Tea Parties !!!!!!!!!!! The Tea Party folks

which seems to be a Huge majority of Texans would NOT want this to be stopped.

The battle cry is TAX ENOUGH ALREADY and that freight train has left the

station.

Just my opinion, and everyone has one,

Ron