§300d–42 Preferences in Making Grants

Summary

The Secretary must set grant amounts for trauma centers based on how much unpaid care they give. Category A centers can receive 100% of their uncompensated care costs. Category B centers can receive up to 75% of those costs. Category C centers can receive up to 50%. For core mission grants, the Secretary must set aside 25% of the core mission money for Level III and IV centers. The Secretary must also set aside 25% for large urban Level I and II centers that meet all three rules: they have at least one trauma fellowship with demand higher than supply; and they either have more than $10,000,000 in uncompensated care or at least 20% of ER visits are charity, self-pay, or Medicaid; and they are not eligible for the substantial uncompensated care awards. For emergency grants, priority goes to centers in areas where trauma care has fallen or will fall if the center closes or cuts services, or where demand outstrips capacity. Any emergency grant money not used because of too few or no qualified applicants must be moved to the significant uncompensated care award program.