Daily Schedule

8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Council Steering Committee Meeting

9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Chapter Executives Forum

1:30 – 5:40 pm

Health Policy Primer 

Presented by ACEP's Young Physicians Section & the Emergency Medicine Residents’ Association (EMRA)

2:00 - 3:30 pm

Joint Federal Government Affairs/State Legislative Committee Meeting

3:00 – 4:00 pm

Leadership Development Advisory Committee (LDAC) Meeting

This informal meeting is an opportunity for ACEP members interested in seeking nomination to learn about the process, hear about serving on the Board of Directors or as a Council officer, and ask questions.

3:00 - 6:00 pm

Chapter Leaders Session 

6:30 - 9:00 pm

EMF Major Donor Reception (by invitation only)

7:00 - 8:00 am

Breakfast

8:00 - 8:15 am

Welcome and Opening Remarks

8:15 - 8:45 am

Primer on Key Congressional Committees and Agencies

Explore the pivotal role of Congressional committees and regulatory agencies in shaping national health policy. This session guides ACEP members through key bodies such as the House Energy & Commerce Committee, Senate HELP Committee, CMS, FDA, CDC, and others. Gain insight into legislative processes, regulatory frameworks, and advocacy strategies, enhancing your ability to impact emergency medicine policy effectively.

8:45 - 9:15 am

Bring It On: Legislating Insurer Bad Behavior on the NSA

The No Surprises Act went into effect in 2022, and insurers have spent the last three years gaming the carefully crafted process the legislation created to ensure an even playing field for physicians and insurers in out-of-network payment disputes. Hear from a key congressional staffer involved in the development of the law, as well as ongoing efforts to bring insurers into line, provide accountability to ensure they operate in good faith, and guarantee the law is implemented the way Congress intended.

9:15 - 10:00 am

Political Update

Led by Nathan Gonzales, Editor and Publisher of Inside Elections, this session will recap the 2024 elections and implications of the recent actions of the new Congress and Trump administration on politics and the next election cycle.

10:00 - 10:15 am

BREAK

10:15 - 11:00 am

Board Out of Our Minds: Using Data to Tackle the ED Boarding Crisis

ED boarding is at a crisis point, straining resources and delaying care. This session explores how data-driven strategies—especially bed tracking—can improve patient flow, reduce boarding times, and enhance hospital efficiency. Experts will share real-world applications, discussing implementation, cost savings, and patient outcomes. We’ll also examine how policy and technology intersect to drive sustainable solutions.

11:00 - 11:30 am

Break Glass in Case of Emergency (Medicine)

As the new presidential Administration takes shape, major changes to the federal health care infrastructure continue to shake up the system as we’ve known it. Many of the new agency heads and personnel have been brought on specifically for the purpose of disrupting the status quo, and it’s safe to assume that additional changes are coming. Can you rely upon traditional advocacy strategies in this new regulatory landscape, and when is the best time to break the glass and reach for the alarm? Hear from seasoned experts on how these seismic shifts are affecting the health care system, what new opportunities or threats are on the horizon for emergency medicine, and how EM can best prepare itself to succeed in this uncertain environment.

11:30 am - 12:00 pm

What's the Scoop on Scope? Success Stories from the States

Physicians across the country face ongoing challenges related to the expanding scope of practice among advanced health practitioners, including PAs, NPs, and naturopaths. In this session, representatives from three states will share their recent efforts to combat scope of practice expansion using ACEP’s resources. Attendees will gain insight into strategies for preserving physician-led care and can bring valuable knowledge back to their Chapters for advocacy and policymaking.

12:00 - 1:00 pm

Section Lunch Sponsored by Vituity

Elevating Voices: A Conversation with Rep. Julie Johnson, (D-TX-32)
Seating limited to 50 people.

1:30 - 2:15 pm

Changing Hearts and Minds: What the Data Says Persuasive Advocates Do for Advocacy Success

Are there persuasion tactics and strategies that you can use with elected officials to create a predictable result? Led by Amy Showalter, founder of the Showalter Group, and Jeanne Slade, Senior Director, ACEP Political Affairs and Grassroots Advocacy, this session will provide an answer to this important question. The typical influence tactics you may have read about for general situations or peer influence don’t often work with powerful people like your elected officials, so you’ll learn tactics you can apply immediately to your Hill visits and at home to build positive working relationships with your elected officials. 

2:15 - 3:00 pm

Medicaid: Basics and Reform Perspectives

This session provides a foundational overview of Medicaid, with two ACEP members breaking down the basics, including eligibility, funding, and key policy considerations. A policy expert involved in one state's reform efforts will then explore various Medicaid reform proposals offering insights into innovative approaches, challenges, and potential impacts. Whether you're new to Medicaid or looking for a deeper understanding of state-level reforms, this session will provide valuable context and discussion.

3:00 - 3:15 pm

BREAK

3:15 - 3:45 pm

Leadership Round(table) Robin

Join ACEP leaders and Board members in a speed-dating style event to hear about their advocacy priorities and network. 

3:45 - 4:30 pm

Growing Threats to Clinical Autonomy

Insurers, legislators, and regulators all want to have a say in how you practice medicine. Hear about how these growing threats to physician clinical autonomy are impacting emergency medicine, and where advocacy can play a role to combat them. 

4:30 - 5:15 pm

Best Practices for Building Future Advocacy Leaders

The State Legislative and Regulatory Committee, in cooperation with the National Chapter Relations Committee, is developing a model chapter advocacy leadership development program. As part of the process, the committee will host a 45-minute roundtable where past and present leadership fellows will discuss what goes into creating a successful advocacy leadership pipeline.

6:00 - 8:00 pm

NEMPAC VIP Reception (by invitation only)

7:00 - 8:00 am

Breakfast

8:00 - 8:15 am

Welcome and Opening Remarks - Advocacy Day Training & Issues Briefing

8:15 - 8:45 am

Conversations with Congress: Rep. John Joyce, MD (R-PA)

A candid conversation with Rep. John Joyce (R-PA), physician member of Congress and Vice-Chair of the House GOP Doctor's Caucus.

8:45 - 9:15 am

Conversations with Congress: Rep. Kim Schrier, MD (D-WA)

Rep. Kim Schrier, MD (D-WA), member of the newly formed Democratic Doctors Caucus and member of the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee.

9:15 - 9:45 am

Conversations with Congress: the Problem Solvers Caucus

The Problem Solvers Caucus is a group of members of Congress — evenly split between Republicans and Democrats — committed to advancing common-sense solutions to key issues facing our nation. Its co-chairs, Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY) and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) will share perspectives on issues important to emergency medicine from the group thats sits down together every week to debate, exchange ideas, and find common ground. 

9:45 - 10:00 am

BREAK

10:00 - 10:30 am

RAND Makes the Case for Emergency Medicine

On April 7, a new report was published by the RAND Corporation, "Strategies to Sustain Emergency Care in the United States." Learn about the report's findings and how it can be used as a valuable tool for advocating for improvements to the emergency care system.

10:30 - 11:15 am

Briefing on Issues

Led by Jeanne Slade, Senior Director, ACEP Political Affairs and Advocacy; Ryan McBride, MPP, ACEP Congressional Affairs Director; and Fred Essis, ACEP Congressional Lobbyist.

11:15 am - 12:00 pm 

Hill Visit Preparation

12:00 - 12:30 pm

Travel Time to Capitol Hill

Please note that travel is on your own (no provided transportation).

12:00 - 5:00 pm

Hospitality Suite on the Hill

12:30 - 5:00 pm

Congressional Visits on Capitol Hill

5:00 - 7:00 pm

ACEP Congressional Reception