Bill > HB984

This bill modifies Missouri's existing law regarding hospital trauma center designations by explicitly preventing the Department of Health and Senior Services from denying a hospital trauma center status solely based on its proximity to other trauma centers. The bill clarifies the process for designating trauma centers, STEMI (ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction) centers, and stroke centers, outlining detailed requirements for application, site review, and data reporting. It specifies that hospitals can be designated through either a state-level process or by obtaining certification from a national verifying body, and establishes guidelines for maintaining these center designations. The bill also includes provisions protecting patient and healthcare professional privacy when collecting and analyzing medical data, limits additional education requirements for board-certified emergency physicians, and provides a mechanism for hospitals to appeal department decisions regarding their center designations. The key innovation is the provision that a hospital's distance from other trauma centers cannot be used as a disqualifying factor, potentially expanding access to specialized emergency medical care across Missouri.

Government Affairs, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB984&year=2025&code=R