Joint Statement from ACEP and VACEP on Due Process, Transparency, and Due Diligence in Emergency Medicine Contracting

Note: On April 2, Valley Health of Winchester announced it would conclude contracts with Emergency Medicine of Blue Ridge (EMBR) while a new partner, SCP Health, will assume emergency coverage of the health system’s six emergency departments as of September 30, 2026. Many EMBR clinicians have cared for communities in the area for decades and played an important role in advancing Valley Health’s mission. As Valley Health leadership stated, the change is not a reflection of the quality of care or patient experience provided by EMBR, one of few independent emergency medicine employment groups in Virginia. The Virginia College of Emergency Physicians (VACEP), in collaboration with the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), is issuing the following joint statement: 

VACEP and ACEP recognize the essential role that stable, well-structured partnerships between hospital systems and emergency medicine physician groups play in ensuring high-quality care for patients across the Commonwealth.

Emergency physicians serve on the front lines of the health care system, providing 24/7 access to care for all patients regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. Because emergency departments are critical access points in the health care system, decisions about emergency medicine staffing contracts have significant implications for patient care, workforce stability, and community trust.

We understand that change happens, but when it does, we believe contract negotiations, renewals, and terminations between hospital systems and emergency medicine groups should be conducted with transparency, due diligence, and respect for due process.

Specifically, VACEP and ACEP support the following principles, many of which are addressed in existing ACEP policy:

1. Transparency in Contracting Processes

   Hospital systems and physician groups should engage in transparent communication regarding contractual expectations, performance metrics, financial considerations, and operational goals. Transparency fosters trust and ensures that all parties understand the factors influencing contracting decisions.

2. Fair Notice and Due Process

   Emergency medicine groups should be afforded reasonable notice and an opportunity to address concerns before contract termination or replacement decisions are finalized. ACEP policy calls for these protections at the individual physician level, recognizing the impact abrupt changes in staffing can have on clinical operations and the continuity of patient care.

3. Meaningful Due Diligence

   Hospital systems considering changes in emergency department staffing should conduct thorough due diligence to evaluate the quality of care, patient outcomes, operational performance, workforce stability, and community impact. Decisions should prioritize patient care and system stability rather than purely financial considerations.

4. Protection of the Emergency Medicine Workforce
   

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