Emergency medicine providers are the front line of healthcare in this country, and this experience is a vital component to the discourse surrounding healthcare laws and regulations. It has never been more important to remain active and engaged in advocating for yourself, your colleagues, and your patients.

Urge Your Representatives to Pass Legislation to Prevent ED Violence

ACOEP stands with ACEP, the Emergency Nurses Association, and other organizations in support of the “No Silence on ED Violence” legislation that Congress is scheduled to vote on this week.

Representative Joe Courtney (D, CT) introduced H.B. 1309 which requires specific employers in healthcare and social services to create and implement strategies protecting workers, including EM staff, from violence.

Contact your representatives today to urge them to vote yes on H.B. 1309.

Speak Up to Prevent Cuts to Your Medicare Reimbursement

ACOEP has worked with several partner associations to support improvements to the Medicare Access and CHIP Re-authorization Act” (MACRA). Since MACRA was implemented in 2015, medical groups representing all specialties have come together to ensure improvements to the law represent the best interests of providers and patients, including provisions made in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018.

However, more work is needed prior to the end of 2019 to give physicians adequate time to transition to new payment and delivery models.Please contact your representatives and urge them to guarantee the following:

  •  Implement positive payment adjustments for physicians to replace the pending payment freeze over the next six years;
  • Extend the Advanced APM bonus payments for an additional six years.

Click here to find your representative.

Way to Get Involved

The AOA has opened registration for both the 2020 DO Day on the Hill as well as LEAD 2020.

LEAD 2020 takes place in Manalapan, Florida on February 27-29 and is an in-depth training for physicians looking to hone leadership and advocacy skills in advance of DO Day on the Hill. LEAD stands for “Leadership, Education, Advocacy, and Development” and is open to students, post-doctoral trainees, and attending physicians.

Click here to learn more.

DO Day on the Hill, held on Wednesday March 18, is your opportunity to join with physicians from across the country and meet face to face with leaders on Capitol Hill and advocate for substantive change in healthcare. Attendees will be fully briefed on the issues and armed with talking points and information to help guide you through your meetings.

Click here to register.