2023 SCCACS Advocacy Efforts
This year we built on the successful passage of AB 2260-Emergency Response: Trauma Kits, which placed bleeding control kits in newly constructed building. Assembly member Rodriguez introduced both AB 70-Emergency response: trauma kits and AB 71-Pupil instruction: bleeding control. This expands placement of bleeding control kits to renovated buildings and requires school districts to provide information on bleeding control on their websites. SCCACS and the JAC-ACSCC is supporting both AB 70 and 71.
As surgeons we continue to care for patients with firearm related injuries and deaths. The American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma and the Association for the Surgery of Trauma have both provided statements and recommendations outlining strategies to increase firearm safety and reduce firearm related violence (Statement on fire arms – The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (aast.org) and (https://journals.lww.com/journalacs/Fulltext/2019/02000/Recommendations_from_the_American_College_of.7.aspx). It is in the spirit that the SCCACS and the JAC-ACSCC is supporting AB 28-Gun Violence Prevention, Healing and Recovery Act which places a tax on firearm and ammunition sales. The revenue will support efforts including research and programs aimed at decreasing firearm related injuries. This bill will not penalize firearm sellers or otherwise discourage lawful firearm sales.
At the 2023 ACS Advocacy Summit surgeons met with representatives and addressed multiple issues including Medicare Reimbursement, addressing the physician workforce by addressing student loan debt, ensuring access to general surgery, and supporting the American College of Surgeons Priorities including: cancer prevention research, firearm injury prevention research and Mission Zero.