October 13, 2023
ACEP on the Hill
Reps. Kilmer & Bacon Introduce ACEP-Supported Mental Health Boarding Legislation  

Representatives Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and Don Bacon (R-NE) recently introduced the ACEP-supported Mental Health Infrastructure Improvement Act (H.R. 5804). This legislation would provide resources to support the construction, renovation, and enhancement of pediatric and adult mental health treatment facilities, as well as substance use disorder treatment facilities, providing a pathway to help alleviate the strain on emergency departments and enable timely and comprehensive care for patients. ACEP collaborated with the Representatives to include language for facilities that can provide specialized or integrated care for patients with comorbidities and ensure funding can be used to build discharge holding rooms, among other suggestions.

ACEP President Christopher S. Kang, MD, FACEP, remarked on the legislation “The ‘Mental Health Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2023’ can help ensure patients get the care they need, bolster our community mental health infrastructure, and alleviate some of the pressure on our health care safety net.”

ACEP Responds to Rural Health RFI

Last week, ACEP responded to a request for information (RFI) from House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO). The RFI sought stakeholder feedback on issues regarding access to health care in rural and underserved communities, specifically how geographic barriers, misaligned payment incentives, consolidation, facility closures, and workforce shortages affect access and outcomes in these communities.

ACEP’s response addressed several key emergency medicine priorities, including the need to ensure stable physician payment for physicians practicing in rural and underserved communities, suggested improvements to the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation, recognizing independent freestanding emergency departments under Medicare and Medicaid, and proposals to incentivize emergency physicians to practice in rural and underserved communities. ACEP continues to work closely with the Ways and Means Committee on this effort.

NEMPAC News
NEMPAC at ACEP23 in Philadelphia

During ACEP23 in Philadelphia, ACEP leadership demonstrated strong support of the National Emergency Medicine Political Action Committee (NEMPAC) by participating in the NEMPAC Council Challenge and collectively donating more than $279,000 towards NEMPAC’s $1 million annual goal. Eighty-eight percent of the Council donated to NEMPAC, with 37% donating at the "Give-a-Shift" level or higher.

45 chapters reached 100% participation in NEMPAC from their Councilors present during the two-day meeting: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Emergency Medicine Residents’ Association, Florida, Georgia, Government Services, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Many ACEP Sections represented at the Council meeting also reached 100% participation: AACEM, Careers in Emergency Medicine, CORD, Democratic Group Practice, Disaster Medicine, Diversity and Inclusion, Workforce, Pain Management, Palliative Medicine, Rural Emergency Medicine, Social Emergency Medicine, and Wellness.

Rep. Susan Wild (D-PA) and Dr. Marilyn Heine

On Sunday evening, NEMPAC VIP donors were recognized at a reception at the Independence Visitor Center, with special guest Rep. Susan Wild (D-PA), sponsor of the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act. In addition, the popular NEMPAC "Give-a-Shift" Donor Lounge was open from Monday through Wednesday in the Convention Center. NEMPAC’s longstanding VIP donors and resident Give-a-Shift donors were also invited to an evening reception hosted by ACEP President Aisha Terry, MD, FACEP.



Didn’t get a chance to renew your support of NEMPAC at ACEP23? Donate or learn more about NEMPAC!

ACEP Advocacy Leaders Program

ACEP recently launched the Advocacy Leaders Program to support emergency physicians interested in taking their engagement and advocacy with federal legislators and staff to the next level. If you are interested in joining or already have a relationship with a federal legislator, complete this short form to receive more information.

Thank you to Dr. Anne Verlangieri for hosting an Emergency Department visit for Sen. Thom Tillis’ (R-NC) staff last week! If you are interested in hosting your legislator for an ED visit, please contact Liz Demorest.

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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