[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 727 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]
H.R.727
One Hundred Tenth Congress
of the
United States of America
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Thursday,
the fourth day of January, two thousand and seven
An Act
To amend the Public Health Service Act to add requirements regarding
trauma care, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Trauma Care Systems Planning and
Development Act of 2007''.
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT.
Section 1201 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300d) is
amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 1201. ESTABLISHMENT.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall, with respect to trauma
care--
``(1) conduct and support research, training, evaluations, and
demonstration projects;
``(2) foster the development of appropriate, modern systems of
such care through the sharing of information among agencies and
individuals involved in the study and provision of such care;
``(3) collect, compile, and disseminate information on the
achievements of, and problems experienced by, State and local
agencies and private entities in providing trauma care and
emergency medical services and, in so doing, give special
consideration to the unique needs of rural areas;
``(4) provide to State and local agencies technical assistance
to enhance each State's capability to develop, implement, and
sustain the trauma care component of each State's plan for the
provision of emergency medical services;
``(5) sponsor workshops and conferences; and
``(6) promote the collection and categorization of trauma data
in a consistent and standardized manner.
``(b) Grants, Cooperative Agreements, and Contracts.--The Secretary
may make grants, and enter into cooperative agreements and contracts,
for the purpose of carrying out subsection (a).''.
SEC. 3. CLEARINGHOUSE ON TRAUMA CARE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES.
The Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 201 et seq.) is amended--
(1) by striking section 1202; and
(2) by redesignating section 1203 as section 1202.
SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAMS FOR IMPROVING TRAUMA CARE IN RURAL
AREAS.
Section 1202 of the Public Health Service Act, as redesignated by
section 3(2), is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 1202. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAMS FOR IMPROVING TRAUMA CARE IN
RURAL AREAS.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary may make grants to public and
nonprofit private entities for the purpose of carrying out research and
demonstration projects with respect to improving the availability and
quality of emergency medical services in rural areas--
``(1) by developing innovative uses of communications
technologies and the use of new communications technology;
``(2) by developing model curricula, such as advanced trauma
life support, for training emergency medical services personnel,
including first responders, emergency medical technicians,
emergency nurses and physicians, and paramedics--
``(A) in the assessment, stabilization, treatment,
preparation for transport, and resuscitation of seriously
injured patients, with special attention to problems that arise
during long transports and to methods of minimizing delays in
transport to the appropriate facility; and
``(B) in the management of the operation of the emergency
medical services system;
``(3) by making training for original certification, and
continuing education, in the provision and management of emergency
medical services more accessible to emergency medical personnel in
rural areas through telecommunications, home studies, providing
teachers and training at locations accessible to such personnel,
and other methods;
``(4) by developing innovative protocols and agreements to
increase access to prehospital care and equipment necessary for the
transportation of seriously injured patients to the appropriate
facilities;
``(5) by evaluating the effectiveness of protocols with respect
to emergency medical services and systems; and
``(6) by increasing communication and coordination with State
trauma systems.
``(b) Special Consideration for Certain Rural Areas.--In making
grants under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give special
consideration to any applicant for the grant that will provide services
under the grant in any rural area identified by a State under section
1214(d)(1).
``(c) Requirement of Application.--The Secretary may not make a
grant under subsection (a) unless an application for the grant is
submitted to the Secretary and the application is in such form, is made
in such manner, and contains such agreements, assurances, and
information as the Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out
this section.''.
SEC. 5. COMPETITIVE GRANTS.
Part A of title XII of the Public Health Service Act, as amended by
section 3, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 1203. COMPETITIVE GRANTS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF TRAUMA CARE.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Administrator
of the Health Resources and Services Administration, may make grants to
States, political subdivisions, or consortia of States or political
subdivisions for the purpose of improving access to and enhancing the
development of trauma care systems.
``(b) Use of Funds.--The Secretary may make a grant under this
section only if the applicant agrees to use the grant--
``(1) to integrate and broaden the reach of a trauma care
system, such as by developing innovative protocols to increase
access to prehospital care;
``(2) to strengthen, develop, and improve an existing trauma
care system;
``(3) to expand communications between the trauma care system
and emergency medical services through improved equipment or a
telemedicine system;
``(4) to improve data collection and retention; or
``(5) to increase education, training, and technical assistance
opportunities, such as training and continuing education in the
management of emergency medical services accessible to emergency
medical personnel in rural areas through telehealth, home studies,
and other methods.
``(c) Preference.--In selecting among States, political
subdivisions, and consortia of States or political subdivisions for
purposes of making grants under this section, the Secretary shall give
preference to applicants that--
``(1) have developed a process, using national standards, for
designating trauma centers;
``(2) recognize protocols for the delivery of seriously injured
patients to trauma centers;
``(3) implement a process for evaluating the performance of the
trauma system; and
``(4) agree to participate in information systems described in
section 1202 by collecting, providing, and sharing information.
``(d) Priority.--In making grants under this section, the Secretary
shall give priority to applicants that will use the grants to focus on
improving access to trauma care systems.
``(e) Special Consideration.--In awarding grants under this
section, the Secretary shall give special consideration to projects
that demonstrate strong State or local support, including availability
of non-Federal contributions.''.
SEC. 6. REQUIREMENT OF MATCHING FUNDS FOR FISCAL YEARS SUBSEQUENT TO
FIRST FISCAL YEAR OF PAYMENTS.
Section 1212 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300d-12)
is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 1212. REQUIREMENT OF MATCHING FUNDS FOR FISCAL YEARS SUBSEQUENT
TO FIRST FISCAL YEAR OF PAYMENTS.
``(a) Non-Federal Contributions.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary may not make payments under
section 1211(a) unless the State involved agrees, with respect to
the costs described in paragraph (2), to make available non-Federal
contributions (in cash or in kind under subsection (b)(1)) toward
such costs in an amount that--
``(A) for the second and third fiscal years of such
payments to the State, is not less than $1 for each $1 of
Federal funds provided in such payments for such fiscal years;
and
``(B) for the fourth and subsequent fiscal years of such
payments to the State, is not less than $2 for each $1 of
Federal funds provided in such payments for such fiscal years.
``(2) Program costs.--The costs referred to in paragraph (1)
are--
``(A) the costs to be incurred by the State in carrying out
the purpose described in section 1211(b); or
``(B) the costs of improving the quality and availability
of emergency medical services in rural areas of the State.
``(3) Initial year of payments.--The Secretary may not require
a State to make non-Federal contributions as a condition of
receiving payments under section 1211(a) for the first fiscal year
of such payments to the State.
``(b) Determination of Amount of Non-Federal Contribution.--With
respect to compliance with subsection (a) as a condition of receiving
payments under section 1211(a)--
``(1) a State may make the non-Federal contributions required
in such subsection in cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, including
plant, equipment, or services; and
``(2) the Secretary may not, in making a determination of the
amount of non-Federal contributions, include amounts provided by
the Federal Government or services assisted or subsidized to any
significant extent by the Federal Government.''.
SEC. 7. REQUIREMENTS WITH RESPECT TO CARRYING OUT PURPOSE OF
ALLOTMENTS.
Section 1213 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300d-13)
is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 1213. REQUIREMENTS WITH RESPECT TO CARRYING OUT PURPOSE OF
ALLOTMENTS.
``(a) Trauma Care Modifications to State Plan for Emergency Medical
Services.--With respect to the trauma care component of a State plan
for the provision of emergency medical services, the modifications
referred to in section 1211(b) are such modifications to the State plan
as may be necessary for the State involved to ensure that the plan
provides for access to the highest possible quality of trauma care, and
that the plan--
``(1) specifies that the modifications required pursuant to
paragraphs (2) through (11) will be implemented by the principal
State agency with respect to emergency medical services or by the
designee of such agency;
``(2) specifies a public or private entity that will designate
trauma care regions and trauma centers in the State;
``(3) subject to subsection (b), contains national standards
and requirements of the American College of Surgeons or another
appropriate entity for the designation of level I and level II
trauma centers, and in the case of rural areas level III trauma
centers (including trauma centers with specified capabilities and
expertise in the care of pediatric trauma patients), by such
entity, including standards and requirements for--
``(A) the number and types of trauma patients for whom such
centers must provide care in order to ensure that such centers
will have sufficient experience and expertise to be able to
provide quality care for victims of injury;
``(B) the resources and equipment needed by such centers;
and
``(C) the availability of rehabilitation services for
trauma patients;
``(4) contains standards and requirements for the
implementation of regional trauma care systems, including standards
and guidelines (consistent with the provisions of section 1867 of
the Social Security Act) for medically directed triage and
transportation of trauma patients (including patients injured in
rural areas) prior to care in designated trauma centers;
``(5) subject to subsection (b), contains national standards
and requirements, including those of the American Academy of
Pediatrics and the American College of Emergency Physicians, for
medically directed triage and transport of severely injured
children to designated trauma centers with specified capabilities
and expertise in the care of pediatric trauma patients;
``(6) utilizes a program with procedures for the evaluation of
designated trauma centers (including trauma centers described in
paragraph (5)) and trauma care systems;
``(7) provides for the establishment and collection of data in
accordance with data collection requirements developed in
consultation with surgical, medical, and nursing specialty groups,
State and local emergency medical services directors, and other
trained professionals in trauma care, from each designated trauma
center in the State of a central data reporting and analysis
system--
``(A) to identify the number of severely injured trauma
patients and the number of deaths from trauma within trauma
care systems in the State;
``(B) to identify the cause of the injury and any factors
contributing to the injury;
``(C) to identify the nature and severity of the injury;
``(D) to monitor trauma patient care (including prehospital
care) in each designated trauma center within regional trauma
care systems in the State (including relevant emergency-
department discharges and rehabilitation information) for the
purpose of evaluating the diagnosis, treatment, and treatment
outcome of such trauma patients;
``(E) to identify the total amount of uncompensated trauma
care expenditures for each fiscal year by each designated
trauma center in the State; and
``(F) to identify patients transferred within a regional
trauma system, including reasons for such transfer and the
outcomes of such patients;
``(8) provides for the use of procedures by paramedics and
emergency medical technicians to assess the severity of the
injuries incurred by trauma patients;
``(9) provides for appropriate transportation and transfer
policies to ensure the delivery of patients to designated trauma
centers and other facilities within and outside of the jurisdiction
of such system, including policies to ensure that only individuals
appropriately identified as trauma patients are transferred to
designated trauma centers, and to provide periodic reviews of the
transfers and the auditing of such transfers that are determined to
be appropriate;
``(10) conducts public education activities concerning injury
prevention and obtaining access to trauma care;
``(11) coordinates planning for trauma systems with State
disaster emergency planning and bioterrorism hospital preparedness
planning; and
``(12) with respect to the requirements established in this
subsection, provides for coordination and cooperation between the
State and any other State with which the State shares any standard
metropolitan statistical area.
``(b) Certain Standards With Respect to Trauma Care Centers and
Systems.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary may not make payments under
section 1211(a) for a fiscal year unless the State involved agrees
that, in carrying out paragraphs (3) through (5) of subsection (a),
the State will adopt standards for the designation of trauma
centers, and for triage, transfer, and transportation policies, and
that the State will, in adopting such standards--
``(A) take into account national standards that outline
resources for optimal care of injured patients;
``(B) consult with medical, surgical, and nursing
speciality groups, hospital associations, emergency medical
services State and local directors, concerned advocates, and
other interested parties;
``(C) conduct hearings on the proposed standards after
providing adequate notice to the public concerning such
hearing; and
``(D) beginning in fiscal year 2008, take into account the
model plan described in subsection (c).
``(2) Quality of trauma care.--The highest quality of trauma
care shall be the primary goal of State standards adopted under
this subsection.
``(3) Approval by the secretary.--The Secretary may not make
payments under section 1211(a) to a State if the Secretary
determines that--
``(A) in the case of payments for fiscal year 2008 and
subsequent fiscal years, the State has not taken into account
national standards, including those of the American College of
Surgeons, the American College of Emergency Physicians, and the
American Academy of Pediatrics, in adopting standards under
this subsection; or
``(B) in the case of payments for fiscal year 2008 and
subsequent fiscal years, the State has not, in adopting such
standards, taken into account the model plan developed under
subsection (c).
``(c) Model Trauma Care Plan.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of the Trauma Care Systems Planning and Development Act
of 2007, the Secretary shall update the model plan for the
designation of trauma centers and for triage, transfer, and
transportation policies that may be adopted for guidance by the
State. Such plan shall--
``(A) take into account national standards, including those
of the American College of Surgeons, American College of
Emergency Physicians, and the American Academy of Pediatrics;
``(B) take into account existing State plans;
``(C) be developed in consultation with medical, surgical,
and nursing speciality groups, hospital associations, emergency
medical services State directors and associations, and other
interested parties; and
``(D) include standards for the designation of rural health
facilities and hospitals best able to receive, stabilize, and
transfer trauma patients to the nearest appropriate designated
trauma center, and for triage, transfer, and transportation
policies as they relate to rural areas.
``(2) Applicability.--Standards described in paragraph (1)(D)
shall be applicable to all rural areas in the State, including both
non-metropolitan areas and frontier areas that have populations of
less than 6,000 per square mile.
``(d) Rule of Construction With Respect to Number of Designated
Trauma Centers.--With respect to compliance with subsection (a) as a
condition of the receipt of a grant under section 1211(a), such
subsection may not be construed to specify the number of trauma care
centers designated pursuant to such subsection.''.
SEC. 8. REQUIREMENT OF SUBMISSION TO SECRETARY OF TRAUMA PLAN AND
CERTAIN INFORMATION.
Section 1214 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300d-14)
is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 1214. REQUIREMENT OF SUBMISSION TO SECRETARY OF TRAUMA PLAN AND
CERTAIN INFORMATION.
``(a) In General.--For each fiscal year, the Secretary may not make
payments to a State under section 1211(a) unless, subject to subsection
(b), the State submits to the Secretary the trauma care component of
the State plan for the provision of emergency medical services,
including any changes to the trauma care component and any plans to
address deficiencies in the trauma care component.
``(b) Interim Plan or Description of Efforts.--For each fiscal
year, if a State has not completed the trauma care component of the
State plan described in subsection (a), the State may provide, in lieu
of such completed component, an interim component or a description of
efforts made toward the completion of the component.
``(c) Information Received by State Reporting and Analysis
System.--The Secretary may not make payments to a State under section
1211(a) unless the State agrees that the State will, not less than once
each year, provide to the Secretary the information received by the
State pursuant to section 1213(a)(7).
``(d) Availability of Emergency Medical Services in Rural Areas.--
The Secretary may not make payments to a State under section 1211(a)
unless--
``(1) the State identifies any rural area in the State for
which--
``(A) there is no system of access to emergency medical
services through the telephone number 911;
``(B) there is no basic life-support system; or
``(C) there is no advanced life-support system; and
``(2) the State submits to the Secretary a list of rural areas
identified pursuant to paragraph (1) or, if there are no such
areas, a statement that there are no such areas.''.
SEC. 9. RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF PAYMENTS.
Section 1215 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300d-15)
is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 1215. RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF PAYMENTS.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary may not, except as provided in
subsection (b), make payments under section 1211(a) for a fiscal year
unless the State involved agrees that the payments will not be
expended--
``(1) for any purpose other than developing, implementing, and
monitoring the modifications required by section 1211(b) to be made
to the State plan for the provision of emergency medical services;
``(2) to make cash payments to intended recipients of services
provided pursuant to this section;
``(3) to purchase or improve real property (other than minor
remodeling of existing improvements to real property);
``(4) to satisfy any requirement for the expenditure of non-
Federal funds as a condition for the receipt of Federal funds; or
``(5) to provide financial assistance to any entity other than
a public or nonprofit private entity.
``(b) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive a restriction under
subsection (a) only if the Secretary determines that the activities
outlined by the State plan submitted under section 1214(a) by the State
involved cannot otherwise be carried out.''.
SEC. 10. REQUIREMENTS OF REPORTS BY STATES.
The Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 201 et seq.) is amended by
striking section 1216.
SEC. 11. REPORT BY SECRETARY.
Section 1222 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300d-22)
is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 1222. REPORT BY SECRETARY.
``Not later than October 1, 2008, the Secretary shall report to the
appropriate committees of Congress on the activities of the States
carried out pursuant to section 1211. Such report shall include an
assessment of the extent to which Federal and State efforts to develop
systems of trauma care and to designate trauma centers have reduced the
incidence of mortality, and the incidence of permanent disability,
resulting from trauma. Such report may include any recommendations of
the Secretary for appropriate administrative and legislative
initiatives with respect to trauma care.''.
SEC. 12. FUNDING.
Section 1232 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300d-32)
is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 1232. FUNDING.
``(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purpose of carrying
out parts A and B, subject to subsections (b) and (c), there are
authorized to be appropriated $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2008,
$10,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, and $8,000,000 for each of the fiscal
years 2010 through 2012.
``(b) Reservation of Funds.--If the amount appropriated under
subsection (a) for a fiscal year is equal to or less than $1,000,000,
such appropriation is available only for the purpose of carrying out
part A. If the amount so appropriated is greater than $1,000,000, 50
percent of such appropriation shall be made available for the purpose
of carrying out part A and 50 percent shall be made available for the
purpose of carrying out part B.
``(c) Allocation of Part A Funds.--Of the amounts appropriated
under subsection (a) for a fiscal year to carry out part A--
``(1) 10 percent of such amounts for such year shall be
allocated for administrative purposes; and
``(2) 10 percent of such amounts for such year shall be
allocated for the purpose of carrying out section 1202.''.
SEC. 13. RESIDENCY TRAINING PROGRAMS IN EMERGENCY MEDICINE.
Section 1251 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300d-51)
is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 1251. RESIDENCY TRAINING PROGRAMS IN EMERGENCY MEDICINE.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary may make grants to public and
nonprofit private entities for the purpose of planning and developing
approved residency training programs in emergency medicine.
``(b) Identification and Referral of Domestic Violence.--The
Secretary may make a grant under subsection (a) only if the applicant
involved agrees that the training programs under subsection (a) will
provide education and training in identifying and referring cases of
domestic violence.
``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purpose of carrying
out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $400,000 for
each of the fiscal years 2008 though 2012.''.
SEC. 14. STATE GRANTS FOR CERTAIN PROJECTS.
Section 1252 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300d-52)
is amended in the section heading by striking ``demonstration''.
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.