As we kick off 2023, ACEP chapters were invited to share their news from the past year and preview what’s to come.

From the national level, ACEP welcomed Chris Johnson as its new Senior Director of State Government Affairs in July 2022. Mr. Johnson is focused on strengthening of the role of state advocacy and aligning state strategies with ACEP’s efforts at the national and workplace levels.

ALABAMA

The Alabama Chapter participated in a physician legislative day on Capitol Hill. During this visit, Dr. Bryan Balentine, President of the Alabama Chapter at the time, testified in the house health committee in opposition to a bill that would have allowed non-nurse midwives to perform vaginal birth after cesarean (VBACS) in a home setting up to an hour away from the nearest hospital. The bill was voted on in the committee that day and failed to pass thereby preventing its advancement to the floor of the house.

ARIZONA

AzCEP celebrated its 50th anniversary with a reception and a special edition of the Arizona EPIC newsletter. The chapter was also actively involved in supporting and implementing legislation to improve its members’ well-being and practice environment and AzCEP hosted a summer retreat that included an EM Work/Life Integration Panel.

CALIFORNIA

Chapter advocacy efforts included work on dozens of pieces of legislation to defend physician reimbursement and to improve patient care. California ACEP sought to require health plans to collect co-payments and deductibles directly from patients rather than requiring emergency physicians to be their billing agents. The chapter will pursue this effort again in 2023. The chapter also supported several bills signed into law to improve mental health care, provide Medicaid to all income-eligible Californians, and to expand fentanyl testing, to name a few.

COLORADO

The Colorado Chapter has had many wins at the Capitol. The chapter met multiple times with the Governor’s office to address COVID-19, staffing, and boarding issues, along with speaking at a press conference alongside Governor Polis. Colorado ACEP hosted a successful Medical Director’s Summit and CME event with hands-on ultrasound training. The chapter formed a task force and has written legislation to combat physician assistant independent practice. There is active work at the city level to protect the ability of EMS to administer sedative medications.

FLORIDA

FCEP was thrilled to host a very successful, full-scale, in-person return to its annual meeting, Symposium by the Sea, at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point in Bonita Springs. The SBS22 program featured a balanced mix of scientific presentations, networking/social events, and resident competitions. The chapter strove to emphasize wellness while providing a family-friendly atmosphere.