As we close out 2024, ACEP’s chapters were invited to share news from the past year and preview what’s to come. Chapters have been busy advocating for physician autonomy, hosting educational events, and continuing to support their members on a variety of practice issues.

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Alabama

The Alabama Chapter appointed Benjamin Von Schweinitz, MD, FACEP, to the Statewide Trauma and Health System Advisory Council, and Julie Brown, MD, to the Birmingham Regional Emergency Medical Services System. ALACEP’s ability to appoint board-certified emergency physicians to these positions is important to ensure that emergent patient care standards are maintained.

Arizona

AzCEP supports emergency department-based clinical research and emergency medicine residents, medical students, and fellows as they work toward their future careers. For the past 13 years and with $20,000 in grant dollars, we have made it a priority to support emergency medicine training programs throughout Arizona.

Arkansas

Several Arkansas ACEP officers attended ACEP24 in Las Vegas, where they shared ideas and strategies to strengthen the chapter’s work. Arkansas ACEP is also planning a residency visit to Unity Health–White County Medical Center. Looking ahead to the chapter’s annual meeting in December, the chapter leaders will hold officer elections and recognize the hard work and dedication of its members.

California

The chapter secured $200 million annually for Medicaid increases for emergency physicians—the first increase in 20 years. The increase was approved in 2023, but the governor proposed to take it to backfill the state’s deficit in 2024. Emergency physicians were the only ones to get funding restored. The chapter also championed AB-977, which will increase penalties for emergency department violence.

Colorado

COACEP, together with other specialty societies, hospitals, and insurers, formed a coalition called Coloradans Protecting Patient Access (CPPA) to fight the proposed removal of medical malpractice caps and an attack on peer review protections. The governor’s office helped broker a deal between the lawyers’ association and CPPA to maintain the sanctity of peer review, while increasing medical malpractice caps a reasonable amount.

Connecticut

Connecticut ACEP members successfully advocated for state accountability on emergency department boarding. By leading a working group, they helped secure legislation requiring hospitals to report metrics on boarding. They are continuing to work to institute quality measures and other recommendations to help address boarding and improve patient care.