Specifies that the department of health and senior services shall not deny trauma center status to a hospital based on its distance from another trauma center

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mark Sharp

HB 1805 prohibits denying trauma center designation solely because a hospital is near another center, requiring other criteria to be used instead.

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)

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Overview

HB 1805 (Missouri, 2026) seeks to limit the Department of Health and Senior Services' authority to deny trauma center status to a hospital based on the hospital’s distance from another trauma center. The bill establishes that distance alone cannot be a basis for denial of trauma center designation.

Purpose and intent

Primary aim: Ensure hospitals are not disqualified from receiving trauma center status solely due to their geographic proximity to another trauma center.

Articulates a policy preference that trauma designation decisions consider factors other than distance, potentially expanding access to trauma care in certain areas.

Key provisions

Prohibition on distance-based denial: The department shall not deny trauma center status to a hospital solely because it is located near an existing trauma center.

Scope of designation: The bill centers on trauma center designation decisions made by the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS).

Potential criteria considerations: While not enumerated in the summary, the bill would imply that other criteria (e.g., capacity, resources, staffing, patient outcomes) may be considered without a distance-based exclusion being allowed as the sole basis for denial.

Who is affected

Hospitals seeking trauma center designation: Hospitals located near other trauma centers would have a clarified path to pursue designation without automatic denial due to proximity.

DHSS: The department’s decision-making framework for trauma center designation would be constrained by the prohibition on distance as the sole denial factor.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction and readings:

Prefiled: December 1, 2025
Read First Time: January 7, 2026
Read Second Time: January 8, 2026

Referral: Referred to Emerging Issues(H) on May 15, 2026

Sponsorship: Co-sponsored by Mark Sharp

Current status: House action history indicates ongoing consideration in the 2026 session, with committee referral and subsequent readings as of mid-2026.

Potential impacts and considerations

Access to trauma care: By removing distance as a sole disqualifier, more hospitals in proximity to existing trauma centers may pursue designation, potentially expanding regional trauma coverage.

Resource planning: DHSS may need to adapt evaluation protocols to emphasize other standards (capacity, staffing, quality measures) while ensuring patient safety.

Equity implications: The bill could affect rural or underserved areas differently, depending on how designation criteria are applied and how additional trauma centers influence patient transport times and outcomes.

Oversight and quality: As designation criteria evolve, ongoing monitoring of trauma center performance and regional capacity will be important to maintain patient outcomes and system efficiency.

Note: The summary reflects the bill text and status available from the action history and sponsor information. If amended, provisions and impacts could change.