ACEP Council Chooses Dr. Ryan Stanton as President-Elect
At the ACEP Council Meeting in Salt Lake City in September, Kentucky emergency physician Ryan Stanton, MD, FACEP, was named ACEP President-Elect. Dr. Stanton will take the reins as 2026-27 ACEP President when the Council meets in October 2026 in Chicago. Dr. Stanton is president of Central Emergency Physicians in Kentucky and EMS medical director for Lexington-Fayette Urban County. He serves as medical director for the AMR/NASCAR safety team and other EMS agencies. Dr. Stanton is a chief medical contributor for Fox 56 News and creator/host of the ACEP Frontline podcast. He is a past president of the Kentucky chapter of ACEP. Dr. Stanton has a medical degree from James H. Quillen College of Medicine and completed his residency in emergency medicine at the University of Kentucky.
ACEP Council Advances Key Policies at Annual Meeting
by Steven Arnoff
Lively debate marked the ACEP25 Council Meeting in Salt Lake City, with delegates considering 91 resolutions, a record number of total resolutions submitted.
The Council is a deliberative body that convenes each year in conjunction with the annual Scientific Assembly to consider resolutions on the pressing issues facing emergency physicians, including changes to the ACEP Bylaws, College Manual, and the Council Standing Rules. Resolutions may be submitted by any two members. Resolutions guide policy development and activities of the College.
“Council always amazes me. Over 400 emergency physicians from around the country come together for two days to debate and adopt resolutions on such a wide variety of topics, from College governance, education, and public policy and advocacy,” said Dr. Michael McCrea, Council Speaker. “Although the debate at times may become heated with passionate testimony on both sides, I am always reminded that more unites us than divides us. Despite our differences, we are all emergency physicians working for the betterment of our colleagues, our specialty, and our patients.”
The ACEP Council consists of members representing ACEP’s 53 chapters, its sections of membership, the Association of Academic Chairs in Emergency Medicine (AACEM), the Council of Emergency Medicine Residency Directors (CORD), the Emergency Medicine Residents’ Association (EMRA), and the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM).
The Council elects the president-elect and four members to the Board of Directors each year and the Council Speaker and Vice Speaker every two years. The newly elected Council Speaker is Michael McCrea, MD, FACEP, and the Vice Speaker is Larisa Traill, MD, FACEP. Ryan A. Stanton, MD, FACEP, was elected president-elect. Four members were elected to serve three-year terms on the Board of Directors: Daniel Freess, MD, FACEP; Steven B. Kailes, MD, FACEP; Kristin McCabe-Kline, MD, FACEP (incumbent); and Bing S. Pao, MD, FACEP.
The 2025 Council considered 91 resolutions: 67 were adopted, 14 were not adopted, one was withdrawn, seven were referred to the Board of Directors, and one was referred to the Council Steering Committee.
In addition to commendation and memorial resolutions, the following non-bylaws resolutions were adopted, as numbered below.
- Protecting Section Integrity and Member Engagement in ACEP
- Recognition of Public Media as a Public Health Necessity
- Reaffirming Support for Three-Year and Four-Year Emergency Medicine Residency Program Accreditation (as amended)
- Inclusion of ACEP Leadership Roles as Approved Practice Improvement Activities for ABEM Certification
- Advocate for No-Fault Medical Liability Reform and Redefinition of Negligence in Health Care (as amended)
- Support for Eliminating Physician Non-Compete Clauses in Contracts
- Advocating for National Leadership on Workplace Violence in Health Care through the AMA (as amended)
- *Amended Resolution 45. Comprehensive Support for Medicaid and Consolidation of ACEP Medicaid-Related Policies adopted in lieu of Resolutions 45 and 46
- Protecting Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital Payments to Preserve Emergency Care Access (as amended)
- Affirming Emergency Physicians’ Ethical and Legal Obligations Under EMTALA (as amended)
- Support for EMTALA Reform to Ensure Timely Access to Definitive Care (as amended)
- Emergency Department Staffing Transparency (as amended)
- Supporting Board-Certified Physicians in Every Emergency Department (as amended)
- Prior Authorization Reform to Reduce Delays in Care and Emergency Department Burden (as amended)
- Reduce Non-Beneficial Regulation by The Joint Commission and other Health Care Regulatory Bodies (as amended)
- Regulate Artificial Intelligence in Health Insurance Reimbursement and Coverage Decisions (as amended)
- Repeal Certificate of Need Laws to Expand Access and Improve Patient Care (as amended)
- Role of Emergency Departments in Interactions with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- Support Interstate Telemedicine Practice for Physicians with Permanent Licensure (as amended)
- Acknowledging and Mitigating the Environmental Impact of Metered-Dose Inhalers (as amended)
- Promoting Environmental Sustainability and Waste Reduction in the Emergency Department (as amended)
- Endorsement of Electronic Discharge Instructions for Patients with Electronic Medical Records (as amended)
- Emergency Physicians and Collaborative Practice Agreements (as substituted)
- Endorsing a Realistic Door-to-Doctor Standard (as amended)
- Forensic Programs in Trauma Centers (as amended)
- Integrating Firearm Safety Counseling into Emergency Medicine Education and Practice (as amended)
- Member Resources for Best Practices in Employment Negotiations (as amended)
- Naloxone Access and Education in Public Schools
- Promoting Comprehensive Treatment of Substance Use Disorders Across the Nation (as amended)
- Necessary Facility-Provided Medications from Emergency Departments (as substituted)
- Protection and National Standardization of Transgender Care in Emergency Medicine
- Standards for the Safe and Appropriate Transport of Patients to Psychiatric Facilities (as amended)
- Toolkit for Elective Surgery Scheduling to Mitigate Emergency Department Crowding (as amended)
- Support for Scientific Integrity in Medicine and Public Health (as amended)
- Support and Endorsement of Current Vaccine Guidelines by Fellow Medical Professional Organizations (as amended)
Visit https://www.acep.org/what-we-believe/actions-on-council-resolutions to view actions taken on recent resolutions and track their progress.
New Analyses Highlight Gaps and Emerging Risks of Health Care Consolidation and the Role of Private Equity in Health Care
In a statement last month, ACEP offered support for federal policymakers and expert health care economics researchers who continue to analyze the effects of various business practices across health care. The ongoing efforts to increase transparency related to consolidation of health care entities and the role of private equity are critical to identifying future strategies for improvements to the health care delivery system.
ACEP remains concerned about the lack of definitive data available to better assess the specific impacts of these practices on quality of care within complex health care systems.
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released a new report on health care consolidation — developed with input from ACEP — that underscores how little is known about the impact different types of consolidation have on quality of care. “Health Care Consolidation: Published Estimates of the Extent and Effects of Physician Consolidation,” was commissioned by Congress and tasked the GAO with studying the extent that health care consolidation is taking place across Medicare and Medicaid markets, and how private equity could be contributing.
The report distinguished among several forms of consolidation, including hospital-physician integration, and physician consolidation with health insurers, corporate entities, and private equity firms, respectively. It found that, at least in the available research, hospital-physician consolidation has not been shown to decrease quality of care overall.
However, GAO noted a striking gap: It could not identify sufficient studies assessing the quality effects of physician consolidation with insurers, corporate entities, or private equity.
New Evidence: Private Equity Hospital Acquisitions Linked to Higher ED Mortality
Just after the GAO report’s release, new research published in Annals of Internal Medicine has filled part of this evidence gap.
The Annals analysis did not examine physician practice acquisitions by private equity, but it provides the strongest evidence to date that private equity consolidation at the hospital level may adversely affect patient safety, particularly in emergency departments.
A Harvard University-led team examined patient outcomes in 49 hospitals acquired by private equity between 2010–2017, comparing them with nearly 300 control hospitals, and found that, after acquisition, private equity hospitals cut emergency department (ED) and ICU staffing expenditures by 16–18 percent. These cuts were associated with a 13 percent relative increase in ED deaths — seven additional deaths per 10,000 visits — compared to controls.
The GAO report found that vertical consolidation of physician practices by insurers, which ACEP has long sounded the alarm on, continues to grow and underscores what emergency physicians are experiencing every day. Insurer-driven consolidation can alter referral networks, restrict patient access, and change contracting dynamics in ways that are far less transparent than hospital mergers, creating risks and challenges for physicians and patients alike.
The accelerating rate of such vertical consolidation should be troubling to policymakers and anyone who relies on timely access to the highest quality emergency care.
Both reports underscore an urgent need for greater transparency and stronger oversight of consolidation across the health system. Policymakers must require more robust reporting on ownership structures and their impacts on patient outcomes.
Regardless of whether the consolidating entity is a hospital, insurer, corporate chain, or private equity firm, ACEP believes emergency physicians must have medical autonomy and adequate resources and staffing levels that prioritize patient care over profits.
Consolidation must never come at the expense of quality, access, or physician-led medical decision-making. ACEP continues to advocate for reforms that protect patients, support emergency physicians, and ensure financial incentives never override clinical judgment.
Second “Talk with Tony” Set for November 12
With the first successful installment of “Talk with Tony” in the books, ACEP has added the one-hour live webinar to the schedule as a recurring installment. This member-exclusive event scheduled for 6 p.m. CST on Wednesday, November 12, offers emergency physicians and EM stakeholders the chance to talk about issues facing the specialty with ACEP President, L. Anthony Cirillo, MD, FACEP. Reimbursement dominated the inaugural “Talk with Tony” in early October. What would you like to talk about this time?
Register here and mark your calendars for the entire schedule. All events go live at 6 p.m. CST:
- Wednesday, November 12
- Wednesday, December 3
- Thursday, January 8
- Thursday, February 12
- Thursday, March 19
- Thursday, April 9
- Wednesday, May 6
- Tuesday, June 16
- Wednesday, August 5
- Wednesday, September 9
ACEP Endorses Evidence-Based Vaccine Schedules
In a statement last month, ACEP affirmed its strong support for the use of high-quality, evidence-based vaccine schedules as an essential component of public health and patient safety. ACEP formally endorses the most current consensus-based vaccine guidelines and schedules as developed and published by leading medical societies, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Cardiology (ACC), and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
When vaccination rates decline, the effects are felt in emergency departments across the nation. Emergency physicians see firsthand the consequences of vaccine-preventable illnesses, which place added strain on already overburdened emergency care systems and put patients at increased risk of severe outcomes.
ACEP stands with its colleagues across medicine in endorsing and promoting adherence to these rigorously developed, evidence-based vaccine schedules, and reaffirms its commitment to protecting patients and strengthening public health.
ACEP Shares Concerns about Changes to Federal Student Loan Repayment Program
ACEP is urging the Department of Education to reconsider proposed changes to federal student loan repayment that could impact emergency physicians who rely on this program. In a letter from ACEP President L. Anthony Cirillo to Department of Education Secretary Linda E. McMahon, ACEP pointed out that the “William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program” proposed rule would amend the regulations on the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program to exclude employers that engage in activities that have a “substantial illegal purpose.”
The letter went on to say that ACEP understands the intent of the proposal and appreciates the need for efforts to prevent abuse or misuse of federal programs and taxpayer dollars. But the College is “deeply concerned about the impact that the proposed changes to redefine a ‘qualifying employer’ under the PSLF program could have on physicians who rely on this longstanding program to repay their student loans.”
ACEP urged the Trump administration to reconsider its approach.
“Public service is a laudable cornerstone of our health system, and PSLF appropriately recognizes individuals who dedicate much of their careers to serving the public,” the letter stated. “That service should be judged by the care clinicians provide, not on who signs their paycheck. Outside of their immediate clinical responsibilities, physicians rarely control, direct, or even influence what their employer does.”
ACEP: Tylenol is Safe and Effective for Pregnant Patients
In response to the Trump administration’s claim last month that Tylenol) use during pregnancy can be linked to autism, ACEP issued a statement about the drug’s safety and effectiveness for use in the emergency department.
Acetaminophen is the most effective and safe first-line treatment for fever and acute pain in pregnant women who present to the emergency department, both of which can be harmful if left untreated, the College stated.
Emergency physicians must align around clear, evidence-based guidance for patients. The data from numerous studies have shown that acetaminophen is safe and effective. As always, any medication taken during pregnancy should be used only as needed, in moderation, and after the pregnant patient has consulted with her physician.
ACEP Reaffirms Support for Banning Noncompete Agreements in Health Care
Last month, ACEP issued a statement reaffirming its strong support for eliminating restrictive noncompete agreements in health care, following news that federal regulators have issued warning letters to large health care employers and staffing companies.
ACEP strongly believes that emergency physicians must be able to provide care where they are needed most — not where a contract allows them. Restricting an emergency physician’s ability to choose a job can stall or upend their career, contribute to workplace dissatisfaction, and accelerate currently high rates of burnout, especially in rural or underserved communities where it is already challenging to attract and retain physicians.
ACEP has long advocated for the elimination of noncompete agreements in medicine.
The organization has submitted comments, engaged with federal and state policymakers, and met directly with agency officials to underscore the harm these agreements impose on physicians and the patients they serve. In past policy actions, ACEP has emphasized that banning noncompete agreements is essential to strengthening the health care workforce and protecting the patient-physician relationship.
ACEP views the federal action as an encouraging sign that momentum is building to end these unfair practices. Still, more work remains to ensure physicians are free to practice without barriers that compromise patient care.
As federal regulators continue to evaluate next steps, ACEP will provide input to ensure emergency physicians’ perspectives are well represented. ACEP remains committed to supporting policies that promote competition, protect patient access, and allow physicians to practice without undue restrictions, regardless of their employer or employment model.
Why Emergency Medicine? We’d Love to Know
You didn’t just choose a specialty. You answered a call. ACEP wants to hear what drove you to choose emergency medicine—and what drives you to stay. Tell us your story:
https://vocalvideo.com/c/answering-the-call.
EM Group Master Class Registration Open
ACEP’s Independent EM Group Master Class fills some of the gaps emergency physicians might not have learned in residency, particularly how to run a business. Whether you’re considering launching your own group or strengthening one you’re already part of, this course from February 9-12 in Irving, Texas, will help you take control of your career and your future. Course highlights include:
- Business Ethics: Aligning Mission with Financial Success
Instructor: Kristin McCabe-Kline, MD, FACEP, FAAEM, FACHT - Group Finances: Accounting Essentials, Budgeting, and Compensation Models
Instructor: Jay Mullen, MD, MBA, FACEP - Innovative Risk-Sharing Models and Value in EM
Instructor: Michael Granovsky, MD, FACEP - (NP and PA) Recruitment and Governance: Building a Sustainable Workforce Model
Instructor: Beth A. Griffin, MD, FACEP
Physician Organization Agrees Turmoil at the CDC Puts Lives at Risk
ACEP and several health care organizations issued a statement last month, saying turmoil that occurred at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will have harmful consequences for the health of the American public.
The statement said the firing of Director Susan Monarez and the resignation of multiple senior officials—including ACEP member Debra E. Houry, MD, MPH, FACEP—are alarming and threaten our nation’s public health infrastructure. Leadership and oversight from Congress are needed now to ensure that our nation’s public health is protected, ACEP said.
“As physicians, we are extremely worried that this latest action takes place at the critical start of the flu and respiratory illness season, at a time when we should be increasing access to vaccines and encouraging their use,” the statement said. “Instead, we receive confusing, often contradictory recommendations that are counter to the best-available evidence regarding vaccine use and infection mitigation that are already leading to additional restrictions on access. The consequences of this confusion will be harmful to the well-being of our patients. We are deeply concerned that this portends future attempts to impose restrictions on vaccines and other public health measures supported by sound scientific evidence.”
In a separate statement the day after the firing and resignations, ACEP thanked Dr. Houry for being a true champion for public health and emergency care. Her leadership at the CDC has set a remarkable standard. Her dedication, vision, and deep understanding of the challenges facing our health care system have made a lasting impact on our nation’s health and safety.
“As a long-time ACEP member and emergency physician, I will always protect the health of my patients and our communities,” Dr. Houry told ACEP Now.
Dr. Houry’s departure comes at a critical time for the CDC, ACEP wrote in the statement.
“As our nation continues to face complex public health threats, many of which ultimately present in the emergency department, her steady hand and collaborative spirit were instrumental in building bridges between emergency medicine and federal public health efforts. As we thank her for her years of public service and unwavering partnership, ACEP is concerned about what the recent leadership transitions could mean for the future of the CDC. Strong, consistent leadership is essential to maintaining the CDC’s credibility, responsiveness, and ability to protect the public. We urge the administration to prioritize continuity and carry on the CDC’s history of a strong commitment to public health and science in its next steps. The stakes are too high to risk uncertainty in one of our most vital health institutions.”
ACEP partners in the September 3 joint statement included:
- The American Academy of Family Physicians
- The American College of Physicians
- The American Academy of Pediatrics
- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
- The American Osteopathic Association
- The American Psychiatric Association
- The Society of General Internal Medicine
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