The governor's healthcare initiatives

Many have asked what the proposed tobacco tax funds other than the trauma system. The governor has unveiled this website that details the proposed projects. He also lays it out in this speech made earlier today. Besides the trauma system, here are some of the other key components of the proposal:

Other key components of the governor's healthcare proposal include:

• New funding for home health care
• New funding for community health centers
• New funding for prevention and treatment options for a wide range of diseases affecting thousands of Arkansans
• New funding for adult dental care improvements
• Additional funding for coordinated school health
• Expanded flu shot campaign
• New options for care for children and families living with autism
• Additional support to fight hunger
• Expanded health coverage for children
• Ongoing support for a new medical school in northwest Arkansas

Now lest you think the trauma system is merely a "hospital" for Little Rock, you ought to take a look at the impact trauma systems have in other surrounding states. I routinely travel through east Texas and see first hand how the network of facilities work together to save lives. Even in small towns such as Gilmer, they participate by having a Level IV Trauma Center (see picture).

The Texas trauma system was established by the Texas Legislature in 1989. The Texas Legislature recognized that trauma is now recognized as the number one killer of children and young adults, and that the effects of trauma morbidity and mortality also contribute to its being the most expensive disease for all people of all ages in terms of hospitalization and disability. Their legislation divided the state into 22 Trauma Service Areas that account for the 254 counties in Texas. The levels of care are divided into four types of facilities:

• Level I: Comprehensive Trauma Facility
• Level II: Major Trauma Facility
• Level III: General Trauma Facility
• Level IV: Basic Trauma Facility

As you can see above, communities like Gilmer (about the size of Nashville or Ashdown) have facilities and personnel that participate in the system. If the level of trauma is such that the patient requires additional trauma resources, a patient in this facility can be transported 40 miles to the region's Level I trauma center in Tyler. With the passage of HB1204, Arkansas can have this as well.