The American College of Emergency Physicians' Access to Emergency Medical Services Act from 2007 was re-introduced Feb. 25 by Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), and Reps. Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.) and Pete Sessions (R-Texas). ACC was an early supporter of the bill, which is also endorsed by ACP, ACS, and several other societies.

The bill would …

• Create a commission that will examine factors that affect delivery of emergency medical services
• Authorize an additional Medicare payment to all physicians who provide Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act care
• Develop hospital boarding and diversion standards (through CMS)

If universal access were to become law, some elements of this might not be needed.

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