Metroplex and surrounding areas could lose more than $17 million annually for trauma care

In 2003 the state of Texas faced a budget shortfall, the prospect of raising taxes was not likely, and the funding crisis in the trauma system needed to be addressed. In response, the Texas Legislature passed the Driver Responsibility Program, which Governor Rick Perry signed into law. Now, some local media are advocating for the elimination of this program.

“Lawmakers worked to create a plan that wouldn’t burden all the citizens of Texas, but rather to place the responsibility on those who violate important laws supporting public safety. Laws that, when broken, often may contribute significantly to auto related accidents and deaths,” said Carrie Hecht, chair of the North Central Texas Trauma Regional Advisory Council (NCTTRAC).  “According to Texas Department of State Health Services data, approximately 25 percent of all trauma in our area is due to motor vehicle traffic.”

In the 19 counties comprising North Central Texas, there are 24 state-designated trauma centers; six of these are designated at the highest levels possible in the country. The remaining 18 trauma centers provide a regional system of advanced trauma care for patients throughout the area. Over the past three years, the area’s annual average cost of uncompensated trauma care is more than $50 million. 

“Much of the cost of trauma care that these facilities provide is not paid for, or uncompensated.  The purpose of the Driver Responsibility Program was to offset the cost of uncompensated trauma care, which is why this funding is vital to the trauma system,” said Rick Antonisse, NCTTRAC’s Executive Director. “The real injustice would be to lose this targeted but crucial financial support at a time when the area has seen an increase in need.”

In 2009 only 36 percent of uncompensated trauma care was reimbursed by the state. The Driver Responsibility Program accounted for 83 percent of that funding, amounting to $17.1 million. The potential loss of this funding would reduce trauma hospitals’ uncompensated care reimbursements to approximately six percent, further placing the cost burden on paying patients and the taxpayers.

“Bottom line, this program is a lifeline for the entire trauma system. This area has some of the best trauma care in the world and that is critical to the safety of our patients and to those who live, work and visit the North Central Texas area,” Hecht said. “NCTTRAC has been a pivotal resource in engaging, coordinating and improving EMS and hospital-based trauma care on behalf of the region for almost 20 years. We want to ensure that those in this area know that the health of our trauma system depends on maintaining this funding source for the trauma centers.”

The 128 participating hospitals and 59 EMS agencies of NCTTRAC support the largest of 22 Trauma Service Areas in the State of Texas. “We currently manage four significant Texas Department of State Health Services contracts and have provided a regional forum for healthcare provider and stakeholder involvement. The ‘RAC’, as it is called, has fostered participation and validated the distribution of incredibly important resources for day-to-day trauma and acute care services as well as disaster preparedness and response,” Antonisse said.