Governor: Trauma system still a priority

On Wednesday, the Hospital and Medicaid Study Subcommittee of Legislative Council discussed the importance of a statewide trauma system (here are articles from the meeting: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Memphis Commercial Appeal). In 2007, the Arkansas House and Senate both passed bills to establish such a system, but a conference committee wasn't able to come to terms on an agreed funding scheme.

Yesterday, Governor Beebe told a crowd in Fort Smith that establishing a statewide trauma should be one of the state's highest priorities. It won't be on the call for the still-possible March special session, but it will be a priority in the 2009 regular session, he said. Here's more from the Arkansas News Bureau.