Another work group was created to look at start-up issues affecting the Action Fund, such as the operating guidelines and the proposed budget, in detail.

ACEP President Dr. Sandra Schneider assured the Board members that although ACEP is the sponsoring organization for legal and tax reasons, the intent is for the Action Fund Board to make independent decisions in the best interests of all emergency physicians concerning efforts to have an impact on regulatory reform.

“We needed to engage the whole house of emergency medicine to make sure we pursue common objectives,” she said.

There was also optimism expressed during the meeting about what the Action Fund could accomplish.

“This is the only way to deal with the issues coming at us from the outside,” said Dr. Vidor Freidman, who represents the Independent Physician Owned Practice Coalition.

“What happens in the next 2-3 years will change everything. We have to be on the same page,” said Dr. Brahim Ardolic, who represents the New York Coalition of two small practice groups and more than 100 individual members.

The Action Fund Board will meet again at ACEP’s Scientific Assembly in October.