Hospitals put on notice about trauma care

The Clarion-Ledger, 8/4/8

Mississippi has begun sending out notices for the nation’s first “pay or play” trauma care system.

Starting Sept. 1, hospitals in must agree to be part of the state’s trauma care system or opt out by paying up to $1.492 million – the estimate it would cost a hospital for that trauma care. The statewide system officially begins Jan. 1.

“I’m proud of our state for stepping up to the front,” said State Health Officer Dr. Ed Thompson. “People are going to be alive five years from now that wouldn’t be if we hadn’t passed this thing.”