Part A—General Authority and Duties of Secretary

§300d. Establishment

(a) In general

The Secretary shall, with respect to trauma care—

(1) conduct and support research, training, evaluations, and demonstration projects;

(2) foster the development of appropriate, modern systems of such care through the sharing of information among agencies and individuals involved in the study and provision of such care;

(3) collect, compile, and disseminate information on the achievements of, and problems experienced by, State and local agencies and private entities in providing trauma care and emergency medical services and, in so doing, give special consideration to the unique needs of rural areas;

(4) provide to State and local agencies technical assistance to enhance each State's capability to develop, implement, and sustain the trauma care component of each State's plan for the provision of emergency medical services;

(5) sponsor workshops and conferences; and

(6) promote the collection and categorization of trauma data in a consistent and standardized manner.

(b) Grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts

The Secretary may make grants, and enter into cooperative agreements and contracts, for the purpose of carrying out subsection (a).

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XII, §1201, as added Pub. L. 101–590, §3, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 2916; amended Pub. L. 103–183, title VI, §601(a), Dec. 14, 1993, 107 Stat. 2238; Pub. L. 104–146, §12(b), May 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1373; Pub. L. 110–23, §2, May 3, 2007, 121 Stat. 90.)

Prior Provisions

A prior section 300d, act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XII, §1201, as added Nov. 16, 1973, Pub. L. 93–154, §2(a), 87 Stat. 594; amended Oct. 12, 1976, Pub. L. 94–484, title IX, §905(b)(1), 90 Stat. 2325; Oct. 21, 1976, Pub. L. 94–573, §§2, 14(2), 90 Stat. 2709, 2718, defined terms applicable to this subchapter, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 97–35, title IX, §902(d)(1), (h), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 560, 561, effective Oct. 1, 1981.

A prior section 1201 of act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XII, formerly §1205, as added Nov. 16, 1973, Pub. L. 93–154, §2(a), 87 Stat. 597, was classified to section 300d–4 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 99–117, §12(e), Oct. 7, 1985, 99 Stat. 495.

Amendments

2007—Pub. L. 110–23 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section required the Secretary to provide support to trauma care, authorized the Secretary to make grants and enter into agreements for such support, and required the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration to ensure that the Division of Trauma and Emergency Medical Systems administered this subchapter.

1996—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–146, in introductory provisions, substituted "The Secretary shall," for "The Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, shall,".

1993—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–183, §601(a)(1), in introductory provisions inserted ", acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration," after "Secretary".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 103–183, §601(a)(2), added subsec. (c).

Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 104–146 effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 13 of Pub. L. 104–146, set out as a note under section 300ff–11 of this title.

Congressional Statement of Findings

Section 2 of Pub. L. 101–590 provided that: "The Congress finds that—

"(1) the Federal Government and the governments of the States have established a history of cooperation in the development, implementation, and monitoring of integrated, comprehensive systems for the provision of emergency medical services throughout the United States;

"(2) physical trauma is the leading cause of death of Americans between the ages of 1 and 44 and is the third leading cause of death in the general population of the United States;

"(3) physical trauma in the United States results in an aggregate annual cost of $180,000,000,000 in medical expenses, insurance, lost wages, and property damage;

"(4) barriers to the provision of prompt and appropriate emergency medical services exist in many areas of the United States;

"(5) few States and communities have developed and implemented trauma care systems;

"(6) many trauma centers have incurred substantial uncompensated costs in providing trauma care, and such costs have caused many such centers to cease participation in trauma care systems; and

"(7) the number of incidents of physical trauma in the United States is a serious medical and social problem, and the number of deaths resulting from such incidents can be substantially reduced by improving the trauma-care components of the systems for the provision of emergency medical services in the United States."

§300d–1. Repealed. Pub. L. 103–183, title VI, §601(b)(1), Dec. 14, 1993, 107 Stat. 2238; Pub. L. 105–392, title IV, §401(a)(1)(A), Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3587

Section, act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XII, §1202, as added Nov. 16, 1990, Pub. L. 101–590, §3, 104 Stat. 2916, provided for establishment, membership, duties, etc., of Advisory Council on Trauma Care Systems.

A prior section 300d–1, act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XII, §1202, as added Nov. 16, 1973, Pub. L. 93–154, §2(a), 87 Stat. 595; amended Oct. 21, 1976, Pub. L. 94–573, §3, 90 Stat. 2709; Dec. 12, 1979, Pub. L. 96–142, title I, §103, 93 Stat. 1067, set forth provisions relating to grants and contracts for feasibility studies and planning, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 97–35, title IX, §902(d)(1), (h), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 560, 561, effective Oct. 1, 1981.

§300d–2. Repealed. Pub. L. 110–23, §3(1), May 3, 2007, 121 Stat. 90

Section, act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XII, §1202, formerly §1203, as added Pub. L. 101–590, §3, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 2917; renumbered §1202, Pub. L. 103–183, title VI, §601(b)(2), Dec. 14, 1993, 107 Stat. 2238; amended Pub. L. 105–392, title IV, §401(a)(1)(A), Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3587, required the Secretary to provide for the establishment and operation of a National Clearinghouse on Trauma Care and Emergency Medical Services.

A prior section 300d–2, act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XII, §1203, as added Nov. 16, 1973, Pub. L. 93–154, §2(a), 87 Stat. 596; amended Oct. 21, 1976, Pub. L. 94–573, §4, 90 Stat. 2710; Nov. 10, 1978, Pub. L. 95–626, title II, §210(a), 92 Stat. 3588; July 10, 1979, Pub. L. 96–32, §7(l), 93 Stat. 84, set forth provisions relating to grants and contracts for establishing and initial operation of emergency medical services systems, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 97–35, title IX, §902(d)(1), (h), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 560, 561, effective Oct. 1, 1981.

§300d–3. Establishment of programs for improving trauma care in rural areas

(a) In general

The Secretary may make grants to public and nonprofit private entities for the purpose of carrying out research and demonstration projects with respect to improving the availability and quality of emergency medical services in rural areas—

(1) by developing innovative uses of communications technologies and the use of new communications technology;

(2) by developing model curricula, such as advanced trauma life support, for training emergency medical services personnel, including first responders, emergency medical technicians, emergency nurses and physicians, and paramedics—

(A) in the assessment, stabilization, treatment, preparation for transport, and resuscitation of seriously injured patients, with special attention to problems that arise during long transports and to methods of minimizing delays in transport to the appropriate facility; and

(B) in the management of the operation of the emergency medical services system;

(3) by making training for original certification, and continuing education, in the provision and management of emergency medical services more accessible to emergency medical personnel in rural areas through telecommunications, home studies, providing teachers and training at locations accessible to such personnel, and other methods;

(4) by developing innovative protocols and agreements to increase access to prehospital care and equipment necessary for the transportation of seriously injured patients to the appropriate facilities;

(5) by evaluating the effectiveness of protocols with respect to emergency medical services and systems; and

(6) by increasing communication and coordination with State trauma systems.

(b) Special consideration for certain rural areas

In making grants under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give special consideration to any applicant for the grant that will provide services under the grant in any rural area identified by a State under section 300d–14(d)(1) of this title.

(c) Requirement of application

The Secretary may not make a grant under subsection (a) unless an application for the grant is submitted to the Secretary and the application is in such form, is made in such manner, and contains such agreements, assurances, and information as the Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out this section.

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XII, §1202, formerly §1204, as added Pub. L. 101–590, §3, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 2918; renumbered §1203 and amended Pub. L. 103–183, title VI, §601(b)(2), (f)(1), Dec. 14, 1993, 107 Stat. 2238, 2239; Pub. L. 105–392, title IV, §401(a)(1), Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3587; renumbered §1202 and amended Pub. L. 110–23, §§3(2), 4, May 3, 2007, 121 Stat. 90, 91.)

Prior Provisions

A prior section 300d–3, act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XII, §1204, as added Nov. 16, 1973, Pub. L. 93–154, §2(a), 87 Stat. 597; amended Oct. 21, 1976, Pub. L. 94–573, §5, 90 Stat. 2711; Nov. 10, 1978, Pub. L. 95–626, title II, §210(b), 92 Stat. 3588; Dec. 12, 1979, Pub. L. 96–142, title I, §104(a), (b), 93 Stat. 1067, 1068, set forth provisions relating to grants and contracts for expansion and improvements, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 97–35, title IX, §902(d)(1), (h), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 560, 561, effective Oct. 1, 1981.

A prior section 1202 of act July 1, 1944, was classified to section 300d–2 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 110–23.

Another prior section 1202 of act July 1, 1944, was classified to section 300d–1 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–183.

Another prior section 1202 of act July 1, 1944, was classified to section 300d–6 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 99–117.

Amendments

2007—Pub. L. 110–23, §4, amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section provided for establishment of programs for improving trauma care in rural areas.

1998—Pub. L. 105–392, §401(a)(1), made technical corrections to directory language of Pub. L. 103–183, §601(b)(2), which renumbered this section, and to directory language of Pub. L. 103–183, §601(f)(1). See 1993 Amendment note below.

1993—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 103–183, §601(f)(1), as amended by Pub. L. 105–392, §401(a)(1)(B), inserted "determines to be necessary to carry out this section" before period at end.

Effective Date of 1998 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 105–392 deemed to have taken effect immediately after enactment of Pub. L. 103–183, see section 401(e) of Pub. L. 105–392, set out as a note under section 242m of this title.

§300d–4. Emergency medical services

(a) ¹ Federal Interagency Committee on Emergency Medical Services

(1) Establishment

The Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response, shall establish a Federal Interagency Committee on Emergency Medical Services.

(2) Membership

The Interagency Committee shall consist of the following officials, or their designees:

(A) The Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

(B) The Director, Preparedness Division, Directorate of Emergency Preparedness and Response of the Department of Homeland Security.

(C) The Administrator, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services.

(D) The Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services.

(E) The Administrator, United States Fire Administration, Directorate of Emergency Preparedness and Response of the Department of Homeland Security.

(F) The Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services.

(G) The Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.

(H) The Director, Indian Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services.

(I) The Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Federal Communications Commission.

(J) A representative of any other Federal agency appointed by the Secretary of Transportation or the Secretary of Homeland Security through the Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, as having a significant role in relation to the purposes of the Interagency Committee.

(K) A State emergency medical services director appointed by the Secretary.

(3) Purposes

The purposes of the Interagency Committee are as follows:

(A) To ensure coordination among the Federal agencies involved with State, local, tribal, or regional emergency medical services and 9–1–1 systems.

(B) To identify State, local, tribal, or regional emergency medical services and 9–1–1 needs.

(C) To recommend new or expanded programs, including grant programs, for improving State, local, tribal, or regional emergency medical services and implementing improved emergency medical services communications technologies, including wireless 9–1–1.

(D) To identify ways to streamline the process through which Federal agencies support State, local, tribal or regional emergency medical services.

(E) To assist State, local, tribal or regional emergency medical services in setting priorities based on identified needs.

(F) To advise, consult, and make recommendations on matters relating to the implementation of the coordinated State emergency medical services programs.

(4) Administration

The Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in cooperation with the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Director of the Preparedness Division, Directorate of Emergency Preparedness and Response of the Department of Homeland Security, shall provide administrative support to the Interagency Committee, including scheduling meetings, setting agendas, keeping minutes and records, and producing reports.

(5) Leadership

The members of the Interagency Committee shall select a chairperson of the Committee each year.

(6) Meetings

The Interagency Committee shall meet as frequently as is determined necessary by the chairperson of the Committee.

(7) Annual reports

The Interagency Committee shall prepare an annual report to Congress regarding the Committee's activities, actions, and recommendations.

(Pub. L. 109–59, title X, §10202, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1932.)

Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users or SAFETEA–LU, and not as part of the Public Health Service Act which comprises this chapter.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 300d–4, act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XII, §1201, formerly §1205, as added Nov. 16, 1973, Pub. L. 93–154, §2(a), 87 Stat. 597; amended Oct. 21, 1976, Pub. L. 94–573, §6, 90 Stat. 2713, renumbered §1201 and amended Aug. 13, 1981, Pub. L. 97–35, title IX, §902(d)(1), (3), 95 Stat. 560, authorized Secretary to make grants and enter into contracts to support research in emergency medical techniques, methods, devices, and delivery, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 99–117, §12(e), Oct. 7, 1985, 99 Stat. 495.

¹ So in original. No subsec. (b) has been enacted.

§300d–5. Competitive grants for the improvement of trauma care

(a) In general

The Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, may make grants to States, political subdivisions, or consortia of States or political subdivisions for the purpose of improving access to and enhancing the development of trauma care systems.

(b) Use of funds

The Secretary may make a grant under this section only if the applicant agrees to use the grant—

(1) to integrate and broaden the reach of a trauma care system, such as by developing innovative protocols to increase access to prehospital care;

(2) to strengthen, develop, and improve an existing trauma care system;

(3) to expand communications between the trauma care system and emergency medical services through improved equipment or a telemedicine system;

(4) to improve data collection and retention; or

(5) to increase education, training, and technical assistance opportunities, such as training and continuing education in the management of emergency medical services accessible to emergency medical personnel in rural areas through telehealth, home studies, and other methods.

(c) Preference

In selecting among States, political subdivisions, and consortia of States or political subdivisions for purposes of making grants under this section, the Secretary shall give preference to applicants that—

(1) have developed a process, using national standards, for designating trauma centers;

(2) recognize protocols for the delivery of seriously injured patients to trauma centers;

(3) implement a process for evaluating the performance of the trauma system; and

(4) agree to participate in information systems described in section 300d–3 of this title by collecting, providing, and sharing information.

(d) Priority

In making grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to applicants that will use the grants to focus on improving access to trauma care systems.

(e) Special consideration

In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give special consideration to projects that demonstrate strong State or local support, including availability of non-Federal contributions.

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XII, §1203, as added Pub. L. 110–23, §5, May 3, 2007, 121 Stat. 91.)

Prior Provisions

A prior section 300d–5, act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XII, §1206, as added Nov. 16, 1973, Pub. L. 93–154, §2(a), 87 Stat. 598; amended Oct. 21, 1976, Pub. L. 94–573, §§7, 14(2), 90 Stat. 2713, 2718; Nov. 10, 1978, Pub. L. 95–626, title II, §210(c), 92 Stat. 3588; Dec. 12, 1979, Pub. L. 96–142, title I, §104(c), 93 Stat. 1068, set forth general provisions respecting grants and contracts, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 97–35, title IX, §902(d)(1), (h), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 560, 561, effective Oct. 1, 1981.

A prior section 1203 of act July 1, 1994, was renumbered section 1202 and is classified to section 300d–3 of this title.

Another prior section 1203 of act July 1, 1994, was renumbered section 1202 and was classified to section 300d–2 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 110–23.

A prior section 300d–6, act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XII, §1202, formerly §1207, as added Nov. 16, 1973, Pub. L. 93–154, §2(a), 87 Stat. 602; amended Oct. 21, 1976, Pub. L. 94–573, §8, 90 Stat. 2714; Nov. 10, 1978, Pub. L. 95–626, title II, §210(d), 92 Stat. 3588; Dec. 12, 1979, Pub. L. 96–142, title I, §105, 93 Stat. 1068; renumbered §1202 and amended Aug. 13, 1981, Pub. L. 97–35, title IX, §902(d)(1), (4), 95 Stat. 560, authorized appropriations for purposes of this subchapter, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 99–117, §12(e), Oct. 7, 1985, 99 Stat. 495.

Prior sections 300d–7 to 300d–9 were repealed by Pub. L. 97–35, title IX, §902(d)(1), (h), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 560, 561, effective Oct. 1, 1981.

Section 300d–7, act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XII, §1208, as added Nov. 16, 1973, Pub. L. 93–154, §2(a), 87 Stat. 602; amended Oct. 12, 1976, Pub. L. 94–484, title VIII, §801(b), 90 Stat. 2322; Oct. 21, 1976, Pub. L. 94–573, §9, 90 Stat. 2715, set forth provisions relating to administration of emergency medical services administrative unit.

Section 300d–8, act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XII, §1209, as added Nov. 16, 1973, Pub. L. 93–154, §2(a), 87 Stat. 602; amended Oct. 21, 1976, Pub. L. 94–573, §10, 90 Stat. 2716; Oct. 17, 1979, Pub. L. 96–88, title V, §509(b), 93 Stat. 695; Dec. 12, 1979, Pub. L. 96–142, title I, §106, 93 Stat. 1069, related to Interagency Committee on Emergency Medical Services.

Section 300d–9, act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XII, §1210, as added Nov. 16, 1973, Pub. L. 93–154, §2(a), 87 Stat. 603; amended Oct. 21, 1976, Pub. L. 94–573, §11, 90 Stat. 2717, related to annual report to Congress.