1 Amended Resolution 12(14) was adopted by unanimous consent agenda. The Reference Committee made the highlighted change and recommended adoption. The consensus was so strongly in favor of adoption, this resolution was added to the unanimous consent agenda. Although any Councillor can extract a resolution from the consent agenda, this one was not extracted and was adopted via unanimous consent.

AMENDED RESOLUTION 12(14) Affiliate Membership Feasibility Study

RECOMMENDATION
Mr. Speaker, your Reference Committee recommends that Amended Resolution 12 be adopted.

RESOLVED, That the ACEP Board of Directors commission a study and report on the feasibility of creating a non-voting, non-office holding membership category for physicians individuals not currently eligible for full, active membership and that this report, including the financial and advocacy impact of membership expansion, be presented to the 2015 Council.

Testimony
Testimony was overwhelmingly in support of the resolution. It was reinforced that the resolution simply calls for the Board of Directors to study the feasibility. Those in favor suggested that ACEP should be inclusive and representative of all emergency medicine providers. Multiple individuals indicated that rural physicians who practice emergency medicine could potentially benefit. It was noted that many other medical specialties have an affiliate membership category.

This is the final resolved adopted by the Council.

Resolution 12 Affiliate Membership Feasibility Study (as amended)

RESOLVED, That the ACEP Board of Directors commission a study and report on the feasibility of creating a non-voting, non-office holding membership category for individuals not currently eligible for full, active membership and that this report, including the financial and advocacy impact of membership expansion, be presented to the 2015 Council.

2 Resolution 22(14) was amended by the Reference Committee, included in the unanimous consent agenda, was not extracted for debate and was adopted.

AMENDED RESOLUTION 22(14): EMTALA-Related Liability Reform

RECOMMENDATION
Mr. Speaker, your Reference Committee recommends that Amended Resolution 22 be adopted.

RESOLVED, That ACEP support individual states in passing EMTALA-Related Liability Reform that increases the burden of proof gross negligence and evidentiary standard in cases against those providing EMTALA related care. for emergency physicians; and be it further

RESOLVED, That ACEP support a media campaign to showcase the role of emergency physicians in providing care under EMTALA without increased malpractice protection.

Testimony
Testimony was supportive of the resolution as amended. Councillors noted that ACEP has long advocated for medical liability reform, but that targeted advocacy for specific reforms for EMTALA related care may be necessary. Testimony was also heard that terms such as “gross negligence” or “clear and convincing” may have different legal definitions, legal implications, and rules in individual states.