SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 16

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

Gerald Ortiz y Pino

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH TO ESTABLISH A TRAUMA SYSTEM FUNDING TASK FORCE TO STUDY POTENTIAL SOURCES OF SUSTAINABLE REVENUE FOR THE STATE'S TRAUMA SYSTEM AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THEIR IMPLEMENTATION.

     WHEREAS, trauma is the main cause of death for persons between one and forty-four years of age across the nation and in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, at the national level, trauma accounts for thirty percent of all life years lost; and

     WHEREAS, the economic burden of trauma nationwide is more than six hundred seventy-one billion dollars ($671,000,000,000) annually; and

     WHEREAS, in 2007, there were three trauma centers in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, in 2017, there are twelve certified trauma centers and four in development in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico has the second highest rate of homicides and suicides combined; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico ranks an the eleventh worst state for fall-related deaths, pedestrian fatalities and traffic fatalities; and

     WHEREAS, access to emergency care in New Mexico is ranked second worst in the nation, with extremely low per capita rates of plastic surgeons, neurosurgeons and registered nurses; and

     WHEREAS, in 2009, the department of health received five million two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($5,250,000) for the development of the trauma system in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, the funding for the trauma system in New Mexico was one million one hundred fifty-five thousand one hundred forty-seven dollars ($1,155,147) for 2017 for fourteen trauma centers, including two under development; and  

     WHEREAS, the trauma system infrastructure state funding has been dramatically decreasing since 2009, and no federal funding has been received; and

     WHEREAS, the trauma system must be expanded, and no sustainable sources of funding exist;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the secretary of health be requested to convene a trauma system funding task force to study, identify and make recommendations for sustainable sources of funding separate from the general fund for the trauma system in New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the trauma system funding task force be requested to identify the cost of continuing operation of the trauma system in New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the trauma system funding task force be requested to identify the financial and professional needs of trauma physicians to ensure provision of specialized care for trauma victims statewide; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the secretary of health be requested to invite the following experts to join the trauma system funding task force:

          A. two representatives from the department of health;

          B. at least two members representing trauma physicians;

          C. at least two nurses with trauma program management experience;

          D. one representative of the New Mexico nurses association;

          E. one representative of the New Mexico medical society; and

          F. one representative of the New Mexico hospital association; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the trauma system funding task force be requested to report its findings and recommendations for identifying sustainable sources of funding for the trauma system statewide to the legislative health and human services committee and legislative finance committee by October 1, 2017; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor, the secretary of health, the New Mexico nurses association, the New Mexico medical society, the New Mexico hospital association, the legislative health and human services committee and the director of the legislative finance committee.

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