ACEP Joins 75 Medical Societies in Letter Opposing Expansion of Pharmacist Services
(ACEP, 8/20) Earlier this week, ACEP joined with 75 physician organizations representing national medical societies and state medical associations in a letter to Senate leaders opposing S. 2426, the “Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act (ECAPS) Act.” The letter cites numerous shortcomings of the bill, including inappropriately allowing pharmacists to perform services that would normally only be authorized and covered if they were furnished by a physician, testing and treating patients for certain illnesses and expanding Medicare payment for pharmacists in limited but significant ways.
New CMS Proposed Rules Include ACEP-Developed Updates
(ACEP, 7/16) New CMS proposed rules include major updates developed and supported by ACEP members. If finalized as written, this would mean the first Medicare payment increase for emergency physicians in six years, permanent codes for EM and critical care telehealth services, and a new quality measure to tackle the boarding crisis. ACEP advocacy made it happen! READ MORE
Governor Vetoes Bill Gutting Medical Board
(Texas Medicine, 6/24) The full force of TMA advocacy came to bear in the veto of Senate Bill 268, which would have eviscerated an important Texas Medical Board function: halting the unlicensed practice of medicine by health professionals licensed by another Texas agency. READ MORE
Take Action During the August Recess - Advocacy Toolkit
Congress is on August recess, giving emergency physicians a prime chance to meet with lawmakers in their home districts. ACEP's Advocacy Toolkit equips you with talking points, issue briefs, and guidance for engaging legislators on urgent priorities: protecting emergency care access, addressing ED boarding, reforming Medicare reimbursement, supporting physician well-being, and highlighting findings from the recent Rand Report. Access the toolkit with your ACEP login and make your advocacy efforts count this recess.
