Jasmeet Dhaliwal, MD, MPD, MBA President-Elect CO ACEP
The 2024 ACEP Leadership and Advocacy Conference took place in Washington, DC from April 14-16. It offered a rich agenda packed with workshops, seminars, and networking events designed to enhance the advocacy skills and influence of emergency medicine physicians.
The conference began on Sunday, April 14, with a variety of specialized sessions including the Chapter Executives Forum, a Health Policy Primer hosted by EMRA and YPS, and a Women in Emergency Medicine Leadership Workshop.
Monday, April 15, started with a breakfast briefing by the Emergency Medicine Data Institute, discussing new insights into acute, unscheduled care. The day continued with various keynotes and discussions, such as the use of social and traditional media to influence Congress, a panel featuring DOJ lawyers on antitrust in healthcare, and a roundtable on unionization in emergency medicine. Notable sessions included ‘All Aboarding! Advocating for Change’ and discussions about diversity and opiate use disorders, reflecting the conference’s focus on current critical issues.
Tuesday, April 16, was dedicated to advocacy training and direct engagement with legislators. The morning began with a difficult panel discussion featuring ACEP President Dr. Aisha Terry and Rep Greg Murphy (R-NC). The discussion highlighted ACEP’s commitment to truth, data, diversity, equity, and inclusion, particularly when it engages with legislators. Attendees then participated in advocacy training, followed by strategic briefings to prepare for afternoon meetings with legislators on Capitol Hill. The conference concluded with a reception at the Cannon House Office Building, providing a platform for participants to network with lawmakers and discuss key issues in emergency medicine.
This year’s key advocacy asks includes improved mental health care resources, protections for health care workers against violence, due process protections for physicians, and a long-term fix to the Medicare physician fee schedule.
ACEP LAC’s programming underscored ACEP’s commitment to advancing emergency medicine through thoughtful leadership and empowering physicians to effect meaningful policy change.