Survivors, Doctors Educate Lawmakers On Need for Statewide Trauma Care Network

Senator Angela Monson and House Speaker Pro Tempore Danny Hilliard were joined by trauma survivors and physicians Monday for a special presentation on the state of Oklahoma’s trauma care network.

The legislative leaders hosted the presentation in the State Senate Chamber in an effort to educate other lawmakers and the public on the need for an infusion of funding to keep the state’s only Level 1 Trauma Center open at University Hospital in Oklahoma City and to ensure the existence of reliable statewide trauma care network

Governor Brad Henry proposed an additional $20.5 million in funding for trauma care in his executive budget for Fiscal Year 2005.

Monson, D-Oklahoma City, coordinated Monday’s presentation and introduced a series of trauma survivors, parents of survivors and doctors who explained how the trauma system worked for them and the need to keep it operating at its current level.

“This kind of accident could happen to any one. In a matter of seconds, your live can be forever changed by a trauma injury—an injury where seconds count. Trauma care literally saves lives when other medical care cannot. That’s why it is so important,” said Monson.

In the next few weeks, lawmakers will consider an increase in the fee assessed for reinstatement of a suspended driver’s license; the fine for a conviction of driving under the influence of alcohol; the fine for conviction of controlled dangerous substances crimes; and a proposal to send a tobacco tax increase to a vote of the people. The fee and fine increases and a portion of the increase in tobacco tax revenue would be devoted to funding trauma care.

Among those speaking at the presentation was Dawn Layne of Purcell. Her daughters were driving in a car last June when they were reportedly swiped by a semi-truck. Alicia Layne, 19, was killed instantly. Laura Layne, 15, was critically injured.

“Without the trauma center, we would not have our daughter. There’s not a doubt about that. It’s a fact. Without mediflight being able to land and intubate her and CPR her and bring her back, she didn’t have a chance,” said Dawn Layne. She urged lawmakers to do everything in their power to save the state’s trauma care system.

Representative Hilliard, D-Sulphur, recently worked a shift in the University Hospital Emergency Room to see the need first hand.

“Our trauma care system in Oklahoma is a critical component of our health care delivery system in Oklahoma. To walk away this session and not do anything would be tragic. Together lives can be saved and no family will have to face the reality of gone in 60 seconds,” said Hilliard.