With an adequate regionalization of specialties, for example, a hand surgeon may cover four states, with everyone in the health system being fully aware of where to go for that service.

The Access to Emergency Medical Services Act of 2009 now has bipartisan support in the House and Senate, with more than 120 legislators cosponsoring the bill. But ACEP’s Washington office needs additional support from ACEP members, said Mr. Wheeler.

“It’s vital to build a critical mass of support behind this legislation with health care reform being front and center on the floor of Congress this summer,” he said. “If your congressional member is not cosponsoring this bill, we urge you to get in touch with him or her and explain why this is important to you, your patients, and the future of emergency medicine.” n

For more information on ACEP’s letter-writing campaign and other ways you can make a difference in the future of health care reform and emergency medicine, visit www.acep.org/advocacy.