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Legislation to Expand Trauma Definition Passed Through Subcommittee

  • Friday, March 28, 2014

The Improving Trauma Care Act of 2013 (H.R. 3548) passed through the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee on February 27, 2014.

The legislation will expand the definition of "trauma" in the Public Health Service Act for the purposes of certain care programs to include injury from extrinsic agents, including thermal, electrical, chemical, or radioactive agents. Currently, the definition of trauma includes only injury from mechanical force.

One of the lead sponsors is Representative Michael Burgess, MD (R-TX-26) and this bill is supported by many physician organizations, including the American College of Surgeons.

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