Encouraging Collaboration and Growing Stronger Together

Each chapter success inspires another, and everyone benefits when the chapters work together. Oregon ACEP heard about the success in Connecticut. Additional discussions led to the development of model legislation that the Oregon chapter expects to strongly support during the 2025 legislative session.

Whenever possible, ACEP facilitates teamwork across chapters. These unique collaborative advocacy opportunities are changing emergency medicine for the better. The scope battles unfolding across the country offer additional examples.

Indiana: ACEP-Developed Model Legislation Protects Emergency Physician Leadership

Back in 2023, Indiana’s emergency physicians helped pass a state law requiring an emergency physician to be present and on duty in every emergency department. Relentless advocacy from Indiana ACEP reinforced how critical it is for emergency physicians to be the ones in charge of emergency care teams.

ACEP-developed model legislation was a big part of that victory. Today, emergency physicians in numerous states use the model language to champion policies that support physician leaders.

Virginia: A Unique Approach to Scope of Practice

Emergency physicians are speaking out to mitigate risks that arise when nurse practitioners and physician assistants are permitted to expand their practice beyond their training. It makes all the difference when elected officials hear concerns directly from emergency physicians.

Virginia ACEP was able to strengthen the laws in its state by taking a strategic approach that they felt would resonate with their legislators. “We did not say it was about scope at all. We made it about fixing outdated legislation,” Dr. Todd Parker said during the ACEP Leadership and Advocacy Conference.

Using the ACEP model legislation, VACEP worked to create and support a law that requires emergency departments in Virginia to have a physician onsite and responsible for managing the state’s emergency departments. VACEP also utilized polling and tireless advocacy to push legislation across the finish line. The Virginia law goes into effect in July 2025. Chapters in Missouri, Ohio, and South Carolina are taking inspiration from Virginia, Indiana and others as they actively work on these same issues.

Oregon and California: Mitigating Harm from the Corporate Practice of Medicine

ACEP policy strengthened in 2023 clearly states that “any practice structure that threatens physician autonomy, the patient physician relationship, or the ability of the physician to place the needs of patients over profits should be opposed.”

ACEP firmly supports national and state efforts to address and limit consolidation and corporate investment in medicine. While ACEP continues to work with the Department of Justice, Federal Trade Commission and Congress, the battles continue on multiple levels and often land in state legislatures or courthouses.