“We expect an even greater demand on emergency services during the next few years as emergency visits will increase despite health care reform and as financially strapped hospitals will continue to close the doors to their emergency departments,” said Dr. Sandra M. Schneider, ACEP President-Elect.

“We must ensure appropriate resources are directed to the health care safety net services provided in America’s emergency departments,” she said.

ACEP will seek support from other advocacy groups and plans to send a joint letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius outlining these priorities. The letter will also ask her to respond to a proposal to create a CMS working group to develop standards to reduce ED boarding and ambulance diversion, and to support statutory authorization of the Emergency Care Coordination Center.

After the November elections, ACEP will launch a national campaign to promote Congressional action to address these emergency care issues and enlist public support.

To make progress addressing these health care reform priorities, ACEP will likely need more resources in addition to the substantial funds already allocated in its current budget. At their June meeting, the Board also discussed ways to carry out these strategies and priorities for health care reform, which might include additional staff in our D.C. office, outside consultants, or other models.