April 5, 2024

ACEP on the Hill
Senate Looks into Private Equity & EM

On Monday, Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) Chair Gary Peters (D-MI) issued several letters seeking information about private equity investments in hospital emergency departments and potential impacts on patient care. The effort is a result of Committee staff interviews with more than 40 emergency physicians across the country about their experiences in hospitals and staffing companies owned by or associated with private equity firms. Different letters were sent to US Acute Care Solutions (USACS) and Apollo Global Management, Envision and KKR & Co., Inc, TeamHealth & Blackstone, and Lifepoint Health and Apollo Global Management.

And on Wednesday, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security held a field hearing in Boston to examine the negative impact of private equity on health care. Led by Subcommittee Chair Ed Markey (D-MA) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), the hearing focused on the Steward Health Care system as emblematic of the broader impacts of private equity investments in health care. The Senators cited Steward’s recent financial difficulties, including hospital closures and nationwide service reductions, as key examples, and highlighted the recent deal to sell its physician network to UnitedHealth Group subsidiary Optum, which has continued to acquire more physicians throughout the country. Among the witnesses was emergency physician Ellana Stinson, MD, MPH, MBA, who provided testimony on the consequences of private equity's influence and her experience in the Steward health system, noting diminished care quality and strained resources for physicians. The Senators both urged legislative and regulatory reform to curb exploitative practices and enhance health sector transparency, including Senator Warren's proposed overhaul of the private equity industry and Chair Markey's Health Over Wealth Act, a new draft legislative proposal intended to protect patient care from profit-driven compromises. 

ACEP continues to work with HSGAC as they continue their efforts pertaining to emergency medicine and is reviewing the Health Over Wealth Act to provide our comments and perspective on the bill.

Leadership & Advocacy Conference
It's Not Too Late!

The actions of Congress directly impact your practice - and your legislators need to hear directly from you! It’s not too late to join your colleagues for the premier advocacy event for emergency physicians, April 14-16 in Washington, DC.

Watch ACEP President-Elect Alison Haddock, MD, FACEP, share why YOUR participation is crucial to our success. Register today!

NEMPAC
NEMPAC at LAC24

NEMPAC VIP Reception (by invitation only)
Sunday, April 14 from 6:00 - 8:00pm, District Winery 
The NEMPAC VIP Reception is an excellent chance to network with ACEP leaders and your colleagues who support a strong, unified advocacy effort on behalf of emergency medicine and patients.

NEMPAC donors at the Sterling level or above ($600 for attending physicians/$60 for residents/fellows/medical students annually) are invited and encouraged to attend. Donors who are currently eligible will receive an invitation via email.

Donate to NEMPAC by April 12 to secure your invitation – login with your ACEP ID: [CONTACT: contact id]

Questions about your donation status? Email us.

Congressional Dine-Around Events Sponsored by NEMPAC
Join your ACEP Board members and colleagues! The NEMPAC Board has identified Congressional leaders deserving of special recognition and support for their work on national health policy impacting emergency medicine and patients. NEMPAC is hosting dinners during LAC24 as a unique opportunity to discuss health care policy and the national political environment in small group settings. NEMPAC is donating to these legislators' campaigns and attendees are asked to donate personally as well. Food and drink are included with your contribution. 

An RSVP is required to attend the dine-arounds – email us.

Confirmed dine-arounds*:

  • Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Monday, April 15, 5:45-6:30pm
  • Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Monday, April 15, 7:00pm
  • Rep. Raul Ruiz, MD (D-CA), Monday, April 15, 7:30-8:30pm
  • Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Tuesday, April 16, 11:45am – 12:30pm
  • Rep. Kim Schrier, MD (D-WA), Tuesday, April 16, 7:00pm
  • Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, MD (R-IA), Tuesday, April 16, 7:00pm


*The dine-around schedule is subject to change and additions. 

ACEP Advocacy Leaders Program

ACEP's Advocacy Leaders Program supports 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. John Corker, who recently hosted Rep. Greg Landsman (D-OH-01) for an Emergency Department visit! If you are interested in hosting your legislator for an ED visit, contact Liz Demorest.

Dr. John Corker hosts Rep. Greg Landsman (D-OH-01) for an ED visit.

State Updates
WI Governor Vetoes Scope Expansion Bill

Wisconsin Senate Bill 145, the “APRN bill”, was vetoed by Governor Evers. Far beyond licensure, this bill would have expanded scope of practice and eliminated current physician collaboration requirements for nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists. Thank you to WI ACEP members who responded to the advocacy alert urging the Governor to veto this bill! 

AZ Governor Signs Prudent Layperson Bill

Arizona House Bill 2093, which adds language to the definition of emergency services that allows a prudent layperson with standard medical knowledge to attest to the medical condition and symptoms of a person suffering from a medical condition warranting emergency intervention, was signed by Governor Hobbs. 

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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Contributions or gifts to NEMPAC are voluntary and are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes. The amount given or refusal to donate will not benefit or disadvantage you. By law, we may only use your contribution to support federal candidates if your contribution is made using a personal credit card or personal check. We are required to provide your employer name, your occupation, and to obtain an original signature of the ACEP member if contributing by credit card. NEMPAC encourages personal contributions. All non-personal contributions to NEMPAC will be used to defray costs of educational programs for NEMPAC and other activities permissible under federal law.