DOUGLAS, GA (May 4, 2010) – Critical funding for Georgia’s trauma care network may soon arrive to south Georgia from legislation authored by State Sen. Greg Goggans (R-Douglas). Senate Resolution 277, which passed the Georgia General Assembly, would create the Georgia Trauma Trust Fund (GTTF) if Georgia voters approve the measure this November. The fund would become the state’s first dedicated funding source for the statewide trauma network, possibly generating up to $90 million a year.
“I want to thank the General Assembly for joining me to finally give our residents the chance to provide urgent resources to our vastly underfunded trauma network,” said Goggans. “There is no price you can put on a life and it was long past time we stepped up to the plate to create a permanent source of revenue for this essential and urgent need. Every Georgia resident and visitor needs access to a Level 1 trauma system and this increased access to trauma care will save hundreds of lives each year in Georgia. I look forward to working with Georgia’s voters in the months ahead to ensure this important measure is adopted.”
The fees collected would be placed into the GTTF and be solely dedicated for management and improvements to the state trauma care system. Basic improvements to the current system, Goggans said, would help save over one thousand lives a year in Georgia. Goggans also noted that Georgia’s trauma death rate has been as high as 20 percent above the national average due to the state’s lack of an adequate system.
SR 277 was overwhelmingly adopted in the Georgia House of Representatives last week by a 149 to 14 vote after being approved in the Georgia Senate during the 2009 General Assembly.
Sen. Greg Goggans represents the 7th Senate District, which includes Atkinson, Bacon, Berrien, Clinch, Coffee, Echols, Lanier, Pierce and Ware counties and a portion of Cook County.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
May 4, 2010
For Information Contact:
Matt Colvin, Broadcast Specialist
matthew.colvin@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028