Advocacy Update: COTS Urges Congress to Support Improving Trauma Systems

COTS recently reached out to members of the United States Senate to support the 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill, specifically with funding to maintain a strong commitment to trauma system readiness by funding the Improving Trauma Systems and Emergency Care Act that grants programs at the fully authorized amount of $24 million for FY 2025. Funding for these grant programs will continue to improve trauma care in rural areas and ensure a coordinated response to emergencies across the country. 

““The nation's trauma and emergency medical systems should be designed to respond quickly to transport seriously injured individuals to the closest, most appropriate emergency department.  And, if that emergency department (ED) is not part of a trauma center, the ED should have transfer agreements and plans in place to ensure rapid triage, assessment, treatment, stabilization, and transfer to a designated trauma center to ensure best outcomes.” Sherri Kovach, MS, BSN, RN, EMT, President & HIPAA Privacy/Security Officer for COTS told members of the US Senate. “In the event of a no-notice mass casualty incident or a natural disaster, a ready and well-functioning trauma system is crucial in providing rapid and effective care to those in need.”

Organized systems of trauma care require thoughtful development and constant coordination of resources to ensure that patients are appropriately triaged and transferred to the most appropriate facility for care. Fully funding the bipartisan proposal would allow the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) to award grants for trauma centers to strengthen coordination and communication, develop approaches to improve emergency medical and trauma system access, establish evidence-based practices, and conduct activities to support clinical research. Funding would also improve trauma care in rural areas through grants for research and demonstration projects that focus on developing innovative technology, training and education, transportation, prehospital care, and other priorities, greatly benefitting underserved rural communities that often lack access to high-quality trauma care.

Additionally, this funding would enable ASPR to work with states to develop guidance and resources that support emergency medical services and trauma care coordination during public health emergencies. This would improve the overall response to public health crises and ensure that people in need receive the care they require.

Next, COTS contacted members of Ohio’s US House of Representatives to support $11.5 million in funding for the Military and Civilian Partnership for the Trauma Readiness Grant program in the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY 2025) Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. More commonly known as MISSION Zero, this grant program provides funding to civilian trauma centers to train and incorporate military trauma care providers and teams into these critical care centers.

MISSION Zero was established by the bipartisan Military Injury Surgical Systems Integrated Operationally Nationwide to Achieve ZERO Preventable Deaths Act or “MISSION ZERO Act”, which was authorized by the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act of 2019. That legislation stemmed from the June 2016 National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) report entitled, "A National Trauma Care System: Integrating Military and Civilian Trauma Systems to Achieve Zero Preventable Deaths After Injury." This report outlines 11 recommendations necessary to secure a national trauma system and sets the goal of achieving zero preventable deaths. One recommendation calls for the establishment of military-civilian trauma partnerships to help further reduce the number of preventable traumatic deaths.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unintentional injury, which often involves trauma, is the leading cause of death for children and adults under age 44. We know that the funding provided by the MISSION ZERO Act will allow us to continue to advance access to trauma care for civilians, enhance trauma training for our military health care providers, and help trauma centers manage the workforce staffing shortages that our nation is currently facing.

“Funding for this initiative will help ensure that the medical workforce is well-equipped to treat patients, affording civilians the change to learn more about military best practices and giving military providers the opportunity to hone their cutting-edge expertise without leaving the military,” said Sherri.

As COTS hears more about these exciting appropriation opportunity, stakeholders will be notified.