New York Consolidated Laws, Public Health Law - PBH § 3061. Declaration of purpose

Trauma is the leading cause of death and disability during the first four decades of life.  In the aftermath of the events of September eleventh, two thousand one, the medical response to natural and man-made disasters is also recognized as a public concern of the highest order.  The furnishing of emergency medical, trauma, and disaster care is therefore a matter of vital concern affecting the public health, safety and welfare.  Emergency medical, trauma, and disaster care, the planning and coordination of such care between prehospital and inhospital personnel and collaborating public health, safety, and welfare officials, the quality management and review of such care, and the development and maintenance of a statewide system for interfacility transfer, including but not limited to aeromedical transport, of critically ill or injured patients between general hospitals and other health care facilities, are essential public health services.  It is the purpose of this article to promote the public health, safety and welfare by providing for development and maintenance of systems for emergency medical, trauma, and disaster care, and for expeditious transfer of patients in need of such care to facilities appropriately staffed and equipped to provide this care in a timely and effective manner.