Georgia hospitals competing for millions of dollars in state trauma money are making their case today before the Georgia Trauma Care Network Commission.

The commission will determine how to divvy up a one-time allocation of $58 million from the state for trauma care in Georgia.

"We're going to hear some testimony from stakeholders," said commission chairman Dr. Dennis Ashley.

Ashley said he does not expect the commission to decide today on which institution gets how much money. That decision will probably be made in May.

Many of these hospitals are desperate for more money for trauma care, and the state has provided little money in the past for this expensive service.

Grady Memorial Hospital, the premiere provider of such care for metro Atlanta, loses about $40 million a year providing trauma care, which requires the hospital to be prepared for the most serious injuries at all hours. Grady is hoping to receive as much as $25 million of the $58 million pie.

While the health care providers are excited about the $58 million, they are disappointed that the Legislature failed to approve a mechanism to generate long-term funding of up to $74 million a year for trauma care.

That failure is expected to make the competition for this money even more intense.