FW: Texas Trauma Funding Coalition Conference Call - July 23 at 2:00 p.m

[Guest guest]

________________________________

From: Raczynski

On July 23, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. the Texas Trauma Funding Coalition will

hold their first meeting via a conference call. This call is hosted by

TETAF. If you are interested in the Texas Trauma Funding Coalition,

please make plans to participate in the call.

Call in number: 1

Passcode: 56571#

TETAF's email on the subject and additional information are below.

Attached you will also find TETAF's " backgrounder " on the Designated

Trauma Facility and EMS Account.

TETAF EMAIL:

The Texas Trauma Funding Coalition will hold its first meeting via

conference call at 2:00 p.m. on July 23, 2010. We hope you will make

plans now to participate in this important initiative. As the State of

Texas budget will certainly be a challenge for all in the upcoming

session it will be imperative that the trauma community and interested

parties are well coalesced. To join the call please dial:

1 , passcode 56571#

Subsequently TETAF would like to host the Texas Trauma Funding Coalition

in conjunction with TETAF's next General Meeting in Austin Tuesday,

August 17, 2010, beginning at 3:00 p.m. at the Embassy Suites Austin -

Central, 5901 North I-35.

For your information TETAF's backgrounder on the Designated Trauma

Facility and EMS Account is attached. You are encouraged to share

widely, alter, edit, put your name on it, etc. TETAF's intent is to

periodically distribute necessary documents and guidance for action with

the assistance of the coalition. TETAF will also be launching a link to

the TETAF website dedicated to trauma funding and the coalition soon.

It will take the strengths and contributions from many to make this work

so we look forward to your full participation. Please forward this

information to others that you believe might have an interest in

participating in the Coalition. An agenda and any documents for the

July 23nd call will be sent prior to the meeting. If you have questions

or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Regards,

Dinah

DINAH S. WELSH

Chief Executive Officer

Texas EMS, Trauma & Acute Care Foundation

3400 Enfield Road

Austin, Texas 78703

dwelsh@...

www.tetaf.org

office

cell

Raczynski, Public Relations and Development Manager

North Central Texas Trauma Regional Advisory Council

600 Six Flags Drive, Suite 160

Arlington, Texas 76011

Phone: Fax:

Cell:

http://www.ncttrac.org/>

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today & avoid the dangers of txting & driving.

For information on iPromise not 2 txt & drive,

click the sign or visit www.ncttrac.org.

Designated Trauma Facility and EMS Account (a.k.a. " HB3588 monies " or

state account 5111)

WHAT? In 2003, the 78th Texas Legislature passed House Bill 3588 which

provides reimbursement to designated trauma facilities for the cost of

providing uncompensated trauma care. HB 3588 allocated 96% of the fund

to designated trauma facilities and those in active pursuit of

designation, 2% to emergency medical services, 1% to trauma regional

advisory councils and 1% to the Texas Department of State Health

Services. Funding is obtained through increased fines on motor vehicle

violations and penalizing habitually bad drivers, thus linking a major

cause of

trauma with the funding of trauma care.

The money for Account 5111 is generated from two sources: one source is

from a $10 state traffic fine, while the primary source of funding is

generated from the Driver Responsibility Program (DRP). THE DRP assesses

" points " to drivers for certain driving offenses. Surcharges due every

year for three years include convictions for:

Failure to maintain insurance and driving while license invalid-$250 per

year

Driving without a valid license-$100 per year

DWI-related offense

$1,000 per year for first offense

$2,000 per year if the court reports an alcohol concentration of .16 or

more

$1,500 per year for a subsequent conviction within the three-year period

All charges are cumulative.

THE CONCERN: There is strong public controversy with many aspects of the

DRP structure, primarily the collection of funds. Those concerned with

DRP do not necessarily object to trauma funding but funds could be

diminished or disappear completely as collateral damage to any DRP

changes. Public outcry focuses on no notification of the supplemental

fines prior to billing; a lack of understanding of the overall program;

and a perception that it targets the poor. Citizens have banded together

to protest these concerns through the use of on-line petitions,

testimonials from ticketed drivers on YouTube videos, and chat room

(internet) discussions. There has been virtually no public education on

what the funds are used for.

Court systems have also become " crowded " with required appearances from

drivers who have had their licenses revoked or have not paid fines as

expected. Because of this " administrative back-log, " many judges do not

support the program and have spoken out against it. In addition, some

politicians have publically spoken out against the bill following

constituent outcry. By late 2008, there was an estimated 30 percent rate

of payment compliance. Of the more than $900 million in surcharges

billed, less than $300 million had actually been collected.

THE DOLLARS: Since its first distribution in 2004, the Designated Trauma

Facility and EMS Account 5111 has provided significant resources,

totaling more than $309 million; however, during this same period,

uncompensated trauma care costs reported by designated trauma facilities

have totaled more than $1.2 billion. This figure does not include

uncompensated trauma care costs incurred by physicians and EMS providers

nor costs associated with achieving and maintaining trauma designation

status. While the 81st Texas Legislature appropriated some $75 million

to designated trauma facilities, EMS and trauma service area Regional

Advisory Councils for each year of the current biennium from Account

5111, more than $300 million remains unappropriated in the dedicated

account. And with current budget cuts the total

distribution will actually reduce by $5 million during the current

fiscal year. The need for these funds has been well documented and yet

they have not been appropriated and now direct attacks to abolish the

Driver Responsibility Program jeopardize this entire fund. While Account

5111 is not the only source of funding for uncompensated trauma care, it

is by far the most significant.

WHAT CAN WE DO? Talk to and educate your elected officials on the

importance of Account 5111 to your hospital, agency, region, etc. TELL

YOUR STORY! Dollar figures help to support the personal stories each one

of us can tell. Also work with your local media stressing the importance

of these funds to maintain a strong Texas Trauma System. Look to local

regional partners that may not necessarily be health care related

entities - local businesses, chambers of commerce, rotary clubs, etc. -

but as a citizen of the community have a vested interest in the Texas

Trauma System. Nobody ever anticipates utilizing the Texas Trauma System

but they must understand the need to maintain in case they or a loved

one ever has to utilize the system.

TETAF acknowledges the looming state budget crisis and hopes to work

with state leaders to distribute all the funds collected for trauma

care, which is critical to maintain a strong trauma system. With

interested party support we can help determine what the Texas Trauma

System of tomorrow should look like and how can it be adequately funded

to ensure that all Texans receive quality, coordinated care when tragedy

strikes.

Updates will be sent periodically and also posted at www.tetaf.org. For

additional information you may contact Dinah Welsh at TETAF at

dwelsh@... or at 512/524-2892. You may also join " Preserve Texas

Trauma Care " on Facebook.

Document created June 2, 2010