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(Circulation. 2001;103:e9019.)
© 2001 American Heart Association, Inc.

Trauma Centers Bleeding Dollars With Balance Sheets in the Red

Ruth SoRelle, MPH, Circulation Newswriter

In Texas, trauma centers lose, on average, $20 million each year. In California, losses total at least $400 million for the state’s major trauma centers, and the California Medical Association is calling for a $300 million infusion of cash into the state’s trauma system just to maintain the services.

"Trauma care in Texas is imperiled," claims Amir Rubin, chief operations officer at Hermann Hospital in Houston. "Texas’ trauma centers are currently delivering the highest levels of critical services to all Texans around the clock, regardless of HMO plan restrictions, regardless of insurance status. These trauma centers however, cannot sustain losses year after year and remain viable."

In Texas, where motorists rack up the highest number of annual motor vehicle accidents (3901 in 1999), trauma centers often mean the difference between life and death for accident victims, who make up the majority of their patients. However, according to a survey of the state’s Level I and II trauma centers by Mr Rubin, most centers are losing large amounts of money.

Trauma in the uninsured population accounts for much of the increase during the past decade, according to Mr Rubin’s study. Twenty-one percent of Texans are without health insurance, he reported, with 31% of the population of Harris County (which includes Houston) and 25% of Dallas County uninsured. During the past year, the volume of trauma increased 5.4%, with concurrent increases in operating losses. At the same time, the federal government cut the funding that goes into state Disproportionate Share Payments. These . . . [Full Text of this Article]