Introduction to Health Policy Prepared by: Nathaniel Schlicher, MD, JD Legislative Advisor Emergency Medicine Residents’ Association
Why Are You Here? Maybe… –Have to be –Need the hours –Better than a shift Or Maybe… –Want to make a difference –Want to guide change –Care about health reform
Objectives What is Advocacy? Legislative Process SGR Medical Malpractice Reform Health Care Reform Getting Involved
Advocacy Politics =
Advocacy is… Speaking for a cause, often for a vulnerable person
US!
What is Advocacy to You? Calling Consultants Getting that Test Free Care for All Hospital Boards Medical Staff Meetings Overcrowding Solutions State Laws Regulations Federal Policy Reimbursement
Why Should We Care? EMTALA
$138,300 / year per ER Physician $12,300 / year Average Physician
On call Specialists Medical Home CLOSED
We Need a Seat at this Table! President Obama’s Health Reform Summit Ensure multiple voices are heard
The Legislative Process
The Start Bill is Introduced Referred to Committee Referred to a Subcommittee Bart Gordon (HR 1188) Energy and Commerce Ways and Means Subcommittee On Health in both Committees
The Hearings Subcommittee Hearings –Report out or Table it Committee Hearings –Report out or Table it Full Chamber Considers –Approve, Defeat, Refer Back, or Table it Second House Consideration
The Home Stretch Compromise –Amendments referred back to original chamber –Conference committee Presidential Consideration –Sign –Veto –No Action Pass –Pocket Veto
Getting Involved
EMRA 35th year of existence –More than 9,000 members –33% of all ACEP Health Policy Committee Legislative Advisor Advocacy Handbook
ACEP Projects 911 Network Speakers Bureau Access to Emergency Medical Services Act of 2009 S. 468 / H.R Jen Wiler
ACEP Committees Federal Governmental Affairs Committee State Legislative / Regulatory Committee Medical-Legal Committee
NEMPAC Election Cycle 2 years –2 million dollar goal Ranking –1 – Anesthesiology (3.12M) –2 – Orthopedics (2.37M) –3 – Radiology (1.70M) –4 – Ophthalmology (1.69M) –5 – Emergency Med (1.68M) Give-a-shift Goal –$1000 / attending –$100 / resident
You May Be Involved But… Rally your group / residency / friends Give a Lecture / Journal Club on Advocacy Become a Spokesperson Give your Time and Money
Want More Information?
Other Advocacy Resources Advocacy Webinar Recorded May 21, 2009 –Target Audience: Junior Faculty –Speakers: Nathan Schlicher and Gordon Wheeler ACEP Blog: –Thecentralline.org –Rotating Bloggers Advocacy Toolbox on ACEP and EMRA
Take Away Points Advocacy is a core competency for us Get involved, we need you! Medical Malpractice Liability Reform may live SGR Solution Not Patch is Needed Health Care Reform Results Coming Soon!
Many Perspectives to Keep in Mind