Local Flavor

Currently, signed in, with other medical associations, to oppose proposed legislation that enables psychologists to prescribe psychotropic medications.

CalACEP sponsoring legislation in 2023 requiring that insurers and health plans collect co-pays and deductibles from patients.

Democrats control both chambers of the legislature and the Governor's office, leading to a highly progressive social agenda.

Republican supermajority in legislature and Republican Governor, as of 2024. As an entire state, it was more of a "purple" state, with close to 50:50 split of voters, but this has changed. Democratic voters are concentrated more so in the south of the state. May

2022: ICEP sponsored legislation to protect victims of sexual assault seeking evidence collection, and to improve compensation for performing exams.

2023: On-site physician coverage for all EDs.

Aligned with Kansas Medical Society

SB 439 8/1/22 Provides for bridge year graduate physicians for unmatched LA graduate physicians to work with rural mentor physician while awaiting next match.

Large fight on nurse staffing ratios; CPOM Letter signed onto with State Medical Society and other organizations; Member involvement in county medical society legislative committees.

Passed legislation to specifically stop ED denials by payors.

State Legislature and Governor are held by democratic majorities. Large population of Republicans throughout the state due to agriculture, oil, and military presence. Hispanic/Latino populations are the major ethnic group with Whites being the largest minority. Access to basic care and specialist are limited throughout the state.

We usually fight several public health bills like repealing motorcycle helmet laws and restrictions on what physicians can say to patients.

Ohio ACEP is in the early stages of planning a law similar to Indiana's, to require a physician always be present in every ED.

EMS Modernization IT

Outpatient emergency departments (OEDs): Recent PA DoH guidelines released (Jan 2023) for OEDs. Several rural sites have transitioned from acute care hospitals to OEDs. This is likely to have an impact on access as well as possible SoP issues with potential for move to indy NP/PA staffing.

Tort reform challenged every legislative session to index the cap to inflation.

Legislation working on EMS wait times, palliative care, and a treatment in place program (community paramedicine).