02/26/2016

Funding Identified for State Trauma Board

House Health Chair advises members to be prepared to vote on sending bill to the full House

On Monday, February 22, an interested party meeting was held to discuss amendments to House Bill 261, which would create a State Trauma Board. The bill, introduced by Reps. Cheryl Grossman (R – Grove City) and Steve Huffman (R – Tipp City), would also mandate that facilities providing trauma care be designated by the proposed Board as Level I, II, or III trauma centers.

During the interested party meeting, it was specified that the proposed Trauma Board would be funded by increasing court costs for a person who is convicted of, or pleads guilty to, a moving traffic violation if the offender caused an accident or collision.

On Thursday, February 24, the House Health and Aging Committee held its fifth hearing on HB 261 to consider amendments to the legislation. During the hearing, Committee Chairwoman Anne Gonzales (R – Westerville) indicated that committee members should be prepared to vote at their next hearing on whether to report the bill out committee for consideration by the full House of Representatives.

When bill sponsors were crafting the original legislation, Ohio ACEP was actively involved in interested party meetings. Ohio ACEP’s suggestions were incorporated into the legislation, including additional representation of emergency medicine on the proposed Trauma Board.

Now that the Chapter’s concerns and comments have been addressed by Reps. Grossman and Huffman, Ohio ACEP has announced its neutral position on the legislation.

Stay tuned for updates on House Bill 216’s progress!