file/Arizona Daily Wildcat

Tucsonan James Michael Stewart receives medical attention for an injured shoulder from paramedic John Jarred, left, and Dr. Julie Dixon in University Medical Center's level one trauma center earlier this month. Republican Gov. Jane Dee Hull is saying the Legislature will reach a decision sometime next week on whether to fund trauma centers.

PHOENIX - Republican Gov. Jane Dee Hull will amend the agenda for the Legislature's current special session to include funding proposals for strapped Tucson trauma centers.

Supporters of the proposals have proven to Hull that they have support from enough legislators to pass it and a revised call should be issued by early next week, Hull spokeswoman Francie Noyes said yesterday.

Hull had wanted assurances that the topic would not bog down the special session called to erase a projected shortfall in the state budget and resolve an education funding issue.

Trauma centers at Tucson Medical Center and University Medical Center are on the brink of closing because of financial problems related to lost money from uninsured patients and illegal entrants to the United States.

The level one trauma centers, which provide care beyond that available at the hospitals' regular emergency rooms, serve all of southeastern Arizona.

Hull did not include the $4.3 million sought for the trauma centers in her budget proposal to erase the shortfall but said she "will not stand in the way" if legislators include the money, Noyes said.

Combined, TMC and UMC's trauma centers would need $4.8 million to stay open through the end of 2002. According to the state Legislature's Web site (http://www.azleg.state.az.us), $1.3 million would be appropriated from the state's Emergency Medical Fund and $3 million from the spinal and head injuries trust fund if the proposal is approved.

The combined $4.3 million would reimburse Tucson's two level one trauma centers for readiness costs. The additional $500,000 would come from the city and county which have already agreed to chip in the needed funds.

John Duval, chief operating officer of UMC, said he is pleased with the progress.

"There seems to be a broad base of support in taking the bill forward, and I'm pleased to hear that Gov. Hull is responding to that support," Duval said. "It's good news."