Senate Approves Trauma Center Bill After Heated Debate

Legislation aims to expand Kentucky's trauma network by easing staffing requirements for Level IV trauma centers

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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The Kentucky Senate has approved a bill that would allow more hospitals to be designated as Level IV trauma centers by permitting them to be staffed by advanced practice providers under the supervision of a physician, rather than requiring an on-site physician. The bill's sponsor argued the changes are needed to boost health care access in rural areas, while opponents raised concerns about lowering medical standards and the lack of an on-site doctor at these facilities.

Why it matters

Kentucky currently ranks 45th nationally in trauma-related deaths, and the bill's supporters say it will help expand the state's trauma care network, particularly in underserved rural communities. However, critics argue that allowing non-physicians to staff trauma centers could compromise patient care and safety, especially during the critical 'golden hour' after a serious injury.

The details

Senate Bill 12 would align Kentucky's trauma center standards with national guidelines from the American College of Surgeons, which permit Level IV trauma centers to operate with a mid-level practitioner supervised by a physician. Currently, Kentucky law requires an on-site physician at all times. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Stephen Meredith, said many Kentucky hospitals already provide Level IV-equivalent care but don't qualify due to staffing requirements.

  • The Kentucky Senate approved the bill on February 5, 2026.
  • The bill now heads to the Kentucky House for consideration.

The players

Sen. Stephen Meredith

The Republican state senator from Leitchfield who sponsored Senate Bill 12.

Sen. Karen Berg

A Democratic state senator from Louisville who opposed the bill, arguing that lowering standards by allowing non-physicians to staff trauma centers is unacceptable.

Sen. Donald Douglas

A Republican state senator from Nicholasville and physician who voted against the measure, saying doctors feel disrespected and devalued as other health care workers take on more responsibilities.

Sen. Scott Madon

A Republican state senator from Pineville who supported the bill, saying it provides a 'hand up' to keep a hospital in his district from going bankrupt.

Sen. Gex Williams

A Republican state senator from Verona who enthusiastically supported the bill, saying it will allow physician assistants to provide vital rural health care.

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What they’re saying

“Unfortunately, this part about having non-physicians in Level IV trauma centers is for me and for the trauma network that I have worked my entire life in, unacceptable. It is unacceptable because time is life. And to transport a patient to a facility where you know you do not have a medical doctor to respond is a waste of time.”

— Sen. Karen Berg, Democratic state senator from Louisville (forwardky.com)

“Medical doctors and all specialties, this might be news for you all, but they're feeling disrespected. And they're feeling devalued. We let other people creep closer and closer to having the privileges that we worked so many hours to have, that we took so many tests to have.”

— Sen. Donald Douglas, Republican state senator from Nicholasville and physician (forwardky.com)

“They're not asking for a hand out, they want a hand up. They want a way to keep their hospital open.”

— Sen. Scott Madon, Republican state senator from Pineville (forwardky.com)

“I hope that as we get these physician assistants out into our rural communities, that they can tell their families about the Kentucky lives they saved, about the Kentucky injuries that they have kept and not some neighboring state. We need this bill passed and we need it passed as soon as possible so that we can get our Kentuckians the kind of rural health care that every state around us has.”

— Sen. Gex Williams, Republican state senator from Verona (forwardky.com)

What’s next

The bill now heads to the Kentucky House of Representatives for consideration.

The takeaway

This debate highlights the ongoing challenges in providing adequate trauma and emergency medical care, especially in rural areas of Kentucky. While the bill's supporters argue it will help expand the state's trauma network, critics are concerned that lowering physician staffing requirements could compromise patient safety and quality of care.