Trauma victims appeal for funding

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Survivors of severe accidents are pleading for lawmakers to provide money to the state's trauma care system.<br><br>Oklahoma's only Level One trauma center is at the University

Monday, April 5th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Survivors of severe accidents are pleading for lawmakers to provide money to the state's trauma care system.

Oklahoma's only Level One trauma center is at the University of Oklahoma Medical Center in Oklahoma City. The hospital threatened to close the center after losing about $9-million last year, but officials agreed to keep it open while lawmakers look for ways to increase state funding.

Governor Henry is proposing an extra $20.5-million for trauma care, but only about $2-million has been appropriated so far.

Still pending are bills calling for a statewide vote on raising the tobacco tax and to raise fees for reinstating drivers' licenses and fines for drug and alcohol violations.