Emergency Medicine Stakeholders Voice Priorities for Healthcare Reform, Urge Individual Clinicians to Get Involved

With President Trump and congressional Republicans promising to repeal or replace parts of the entirety of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), emergency medicine stakeholders are making sure lawmakers know what provisions in the law must remain intact, and what new reforms are needed. They also are urging emergency medicine clinicians to stay informed on the issues, and to advocate for their interests. The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) wants to ensure that emergency services remain essential covered benefits, and that freestanding EDs and other emerging healthcare delivery models are supported. Although ACEP calls on lawmakers to preserve Medicaid, Medicare, and the Children's Health Insurance Program, the organization is less than satisfied with the insurance products offered on the ACA exchanges. The organization wants lawmakers to address both the affordability and transparency of coverage options. The Emergency Nurses Association calls for an expanded role for advanced practice registered nurses in both primary and emergency care, and it wants more action to improve access to mental healthcare services.