September 29, 2023

Advocacy Update
ACEP Holds National Summit on Boarding

On Wednesday, ACEP held our National Summit on Boarding to bring together a broad range of key stakeholders to discuss this urgent issue and identify a path towards solving it. Participants included representatives from hospitals, nursing homes, emergency medical services, federal and state policymakers, patient groups, and mental health clinicians. During the 5-hour session, the group identified causes of boarding, barriers to overcoming them, and next steps to prioritize. The Summit was one of many such conversations to help further inform and amplify ACEP's advocacy on the boarding crisis.

ACEP President-Elect Aisha Terry, MD, MPH, FACEP speaking at ACEP's National Summit on Boarding

Advocating for legislation that addresses causes of boarding is one solution ACEP is pursuing to address the crisis. You can help by sharing your stories with Congress and urging them to support legislation like the Improving Mental Health Access from the ED Act. 

ACEP on the Hill
ACEP Submits Response to Sen. Cassidy RFI on HIPAA  

Today, ACEP submitted a response to Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Ranking Member Bill Cassidy’s (R-LA) request for information (RFI) on ways to improve privacy protections of health data to safeguard sensitive patient information. Sen. Cassidy hopes to use stakeholder feedback to help modernize the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and better leverage technology, while safeguarding the privacy of this data. ACEP’s response focuses on how HIPAA is tremendously complex for practicing physicians, the delicate balance between appropriately protecting patient privacy while ensuring emergency physicians have timely access to needed information, and other challenges and experiences specific to emergency medicine. ACEP will continue to work with Sen. Cassidy on this important issue, as well as his many other priorities.

What Would a Government Shutdown Mean for You? 

As Congress appears to be headed toward a government shutdown this weekend, it remains unclear as to how legislators will be able to resolve their differences and how long a shutdown might last. What would a shutdown mean for emergency physicians? Below are a few key things to know, and more information is available here.

  • The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will continue to process Medicare claims and Medicare benefits for beneficiaries are not affected. 
  • Medicaid has full funding for three months. 
  • Release of pending regulations could be delayed, including the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS).
  • CMS may not have sufficient staff to respond in a timely manner to physicians' questions about Medicare policies or scores for the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). 

NEMPAC News
NEMPAC at ACEP23 in Philadelphia

NEMPAC VIP Donor Reception (by invitation only)
Sunday, October 8 from 6:00 - 8:00pm
The Liberty View at Independence Visitor Center
NEMPAC donors at the Sterling level or above ($600 for attendings/$60 for residents/fellows/medical students annually) are invited to celebrate NEMPAC’s success while mingling with other VIP donors and NEMPAC and ACEP leaders.

NEMPAC “Give-A-Shift” Donor Lounge (by invitation only)
Monday, October 9 – Wednesday, October 11, 8:00am – 4:00pm Philadelphia Convention Center
NEMPAC donors at the “Give-a-Shift” level or above ($1,200 for attendings, $120 for residents, $365 for Transitioning and Retired Members) are invited to visit and enjoy this private lounge with complimentary beverages, hot buffet lunch, snacks, head and neck massage appointments, and business center amenities. 

Contribute to NEMPAC and secure your invitation. Donors who are currently eligible will receive an invitation via email. Questions about your donation status? Email us.

State Update
State Legislation Tracked by ACEP

To share legislative activity happening in your state, contact Adam Krushinskie. Check out the state legislation that is currently identified and being tracked by ACEP:

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