For Immediate Release:
April 5, 2004
Senator Angela Monson talks with
trauma survivor, Skip Sellers.
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.
For
more information contact:
Senate
Communications Office - (405) 521-5774
