In the final week before the mid-term elections, ACEP council members have stepped up to the plate to ensure that emergency medicine is prepared to make an impact on the outcome. With control of the Senate at stake and a slew of issues like ACA implementation, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, and liability reform left on the table for a new Congress to address in January, it is more important than ever for emergency physicians to stay active and engaged in the political process.

Prior to and during the ACEP Council meeting over the weekend, NEMPAC collected nearly $250,000 from council members. Combined with thousands of donations by ACEP members across the country this year, NEMPAC is well on the way to reaching the $1 million goal set by the ACEP Board in 2014.

NEMPAC serves a vital role in advancing ACEP’s legislative agenda and in broadening ACEP’s visibility with Congress. NEMPAC’s growth has allowed us to be involved in hundreds of races across the country. NEMPAC has already donated $1.5 million to House and Senate candidates in the 2014 elections with nearly 100 donations delivered by ACEP members at events in their own congressional districts. NEMPAC is also working hard to help re-elect two ACEP members who serve in Congress: Rep. Joe Heck (R-NV) and Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA).

Only ACEP members can donate to NEMPAC and more than 5,000 have contributed this year to increase emergency physicians’ clout in the political process. NEMPAC is currently the fourth largest physician specialty political action committee, behind anesthesiologists, orthopedic surgeons, and radiologists—with a goal of becoming number one. This goal has been embraced by ACEP members across the country as well as by emergency medicine group practices who are finding creative ways to encourage their ACEP member physicians to support NEMPAC.

This year, ACEP physicians in seven emergency medicine group practices were recognized for their outstanding support including: CEP America, EmCare, Emergency Medicine Physicians (EMP), Eastside Emergency Physicians, Florida Emergency Physicians (FEP), Medical Emergency Professionals (MEP) and Wake Emergency Physicians (WEPPA).

For more information about NEMPAC and ACEP’s other political and legislative advocacy initiatives, stop by the Advocacy area of the ACEP Resource Center in the Exhibit Hall. ACEP members who sign up for ACEP’s 911 Grassroots Network, donate to NEMPAC, or join the ACEP Spokesperson’s Network will be entered into a drawing for two roundtrip airline tickets.

Anyone who contributes $500 or more to NEMPAC in 2014 becomes a NEMPAC VIP and can enjoy the use of the VIP Hospitality Area (including laptops, snacks, and special seating) on the 3rd Floor of McCormick Place West during ACEP14.