Trauma readiness bill advanced by House Energy and Commerce Committee

A bill that establishes a grant program for military-civilian partnerships in trauma care to allow both the military and private citizens to benefit from each other’s expertise was recently advanced by the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

The bill, titled the MISSION ZERO Act, was introduced by U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX). The legislation was submitted in response to the deadly police shooting in Dallas, Texas last July.

“The victims of last year’s attack, as well as all American trauma patients, require the best possible care,” Burgess said. “It is imperative that medical professionals are equipped with the best techniques available in these time-sensitive situations, and H.R. 880 will ensure that we utilize our military medical personnel beyond the battlefield, giving patients greater hope for a full recovery.”

The bill specifically aims to bridge the gap between military and civilian trauma care providers. One emergency medical team member from the Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas likened the scene of the shooting to his tour of duty with the Navy Reserves.

Burgess said it was an unfortunate reality that we had to ensure that medical professionals were prepared for anything, including treatments once thought to be limited to the battlefield.

“The MISSION ZERO Act is an urgent and necessary way to connect battle-tested trauma care with American patients, simultaneously ensuring that our military doctors stay at their prime and bolstering our national security,” Burgess said.