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A Nation Divided Over Health Care? Not So Fast |
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From EurekAlert! - Breaking News: Americans may be sharply divided in their views on many aspects of health care in the United States, but they are in strong agreement when it comes to one of the most important but overlooked elements --- a nationwide trauma system. According to results of the American College of Surgeons' (ACS) new "On the Table" voter survey, 75 percent of voters support the establishment of a nationwide trauma system - including strong majorities across all political parties (86 percent of Democrats; 73 percent of Independents; and 63 percent of Republicans). According to the survey, almost half of voters (46 percent) believe their own states are prepared for an emergency situation, but half (50 percent) do not believe the nation's trauma centers are prepared to handle large-scale medical emergencies. ACS is currently working in cooperation with other trauma experts to develop a more comprehensive set of criteria and evaluation to assess the nation's trauma system preparedness. Data from the National Safety Council estimates that in 2004 alone, unintentional injuries cost the nation $574.8 billion, with $298.4 billion in wage and productivity losses and $98.9 billion in medical expenses. Trauma includes unintentional injuries such as falls and car accidents, intentional or self-inflicted injuries, as well as mass casualty trauma caused by a natural disaster or terrorist attack. The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical practice and to improve the care of the surgical patient. The College is dedicated to the ethical and competent practice of surgery.
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