Dr. Jennifer Casaletto and Dr. Thomas Kelly (TK)

Thomas Kelly MD PGY2, one of the incoming chiefs for next year and resident representative to the AzCEP board of directors, was selected to be part of the Arizona delegation to the Leadership & Advocacy Conference in Washington DC. He was joined AzCEP president Craig Norquist, president-elect Jennifer Casaaletto, and fellow board members Brad Butler and Claudette Rodriguez.

At the Conference, they learned advocacy skills, were exposed to the latest issues facing emergency medicine, and received updates directly from members of Congress. There were great talks on the current politics facing our college. Additionally, there was a section focused solely on issues facing residents. At the end of the conference, they walked across the mall and took an active part in forming healthcare policy by meeting directly with Arizona’s senators and representatives and their staff. This year the Arizona chapter was able to hit each senator’s and representative’s office for the entire state where they pushed for HR 3875 The Access to Emergency Medical Services Act of 2005. As a result of all the efforts by ACEP we were able to sign more co-sponsors to the bill in hopes that now it may be brought up for discussion. The bill and its accompanying senate bill have the 3 main points: 1) Emergency physicians and other physicians providing care to the uninsured in emergency departments would be extended the same liability protections as Public health Service officers (Federal Tort Claims Act) 2) An additional 10% payment would be authorized for emergency care provided to Medicare beneficiaries. 3) Hospitals that promptly move admitted patients from the emergency department to their definitive hospital destination would be rewarded with incentive payments of an additional 10%.

It may not be perfect but hopefully, it can be brought to committee for further discussion, and eventual passage.

This is easily one of ACEP’s most interesting and beneficial conferences. Hopefully Thomas (TK) will put the Leadership & Advocacy skills and networking opportunities he received in Washington to work in ways to help his emergency department at Maricopa and emergency medicine here in Arizona.