Political Quotes

“Each year, nearly one of every four Americans are injured and require medical attention. Among Americans younger than age 44, trauma is the leading killer. While injury prevention programs have greatly reduced death and disability, severe injuries will continue. Given the events of September 11, 2001 and our Nation's renewed focus on enhancing disaster preparedness, it is critical that the Federal Government increase its commitment to strengthening programs governing trauma care system planning and development. The direct and indirect cost of injury is estimated to be about $260 billion a year. The death rate from unintentional injury is more than 50 percent higher in rural areas than in urban areas. It is essential that all Americans have access to a trauma system that provides definitive care as quickly as possible. In recent years, Congress has sought to address this issue through the Trauma Care Systems Planning and Development Act, which provides grants for the purpose of planning, implementing, and developing statewide trauma care systems. However, this important program expired last year before Congress could reauthorize it. Therefore, I am introducing bipartisan legislation today, along with Senators Kennedy, Enzi, Murray, Roberts and Graham of South Carolina to reauthorize this important program. Despite our past investments, one-half of the states in the country are still without a statewide trauma care system. Clearly we can do better.”