Emergency physicians from across Wisconsin recently returned from the ACEP Legislative and Advocacy Conference (LAC), where we joined colleagues nationwide to engage directly in federal health policy discussions and leadership development. The conference provided a valuable forum to better understand the evolving legislative landscape, refine our advocacy strategies, and ensure that the voice of emergency medicine remains strong and informed at the national level.
As part of our advocacy efforts, our delegation met with four members of Wisconsin’s congressional delegation: Senators Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson, along with Representatives Tom Tiffany and Tony Wied. These meetings allowed us to bring frontline perspectives directly to policymakers and highlight the operational, financial, and clinical realities facing emergency departments today.
Our discussions focused on four key priorities:
1. Medicare Reimbursement Reform
We emphasized the urgency of addressing impending Medicare reimbursement cuts expected at the end of the year, which continue to threaten the financial sustainability of emergency care. Beyond short-term fixes, we advocated for structural reform—specifically indexing physician reimbursement to inflation to prevent ongoing erosion of payment. We also raised concerns regarding broader Medicare policy challenges, including issues related to program design and regulatory pressures that impact emergency physicians’ ability to deliver care efficiently (net neutrality, challenges with MACRA).
2. Eliminating Non-Compete Clauses
We advocated for the elimination of non-compete clauses for emergency physicians. These restrictions limit unnecessarily workforce mobility, reduce competition, and can ultimately disrupt patient access to care. Removing non-competes would support a more flexible and resilient emergency medicine workforce.
3. Addressing Violence in Emergency Departments
Workplace violence remains a critical and growing concern. We highlighted the need for stronger federal support, including funding, legislation, and enforcement mechanisms to protect emergency department staff. Ensuring a safe working environment is essential not only for clinicians but also for maintaining high-quality patient care.
4. Emergency Department Boarding
We discussed the ongoing crisis of ED boarding and its widespread impact on patient safety, throughput, and system capacity. Boarding is not an isolated emergency department issue—it reflects systemic constraints across the continuum of care. We urged policymakers to consider comprehensive solutions that address hospital capacity.
The ACEP LAC continues to be one of the most impactful opportunities for emergency physicians to shape the future of our specialty through direct engagement with policymakers. Looking ahead, we encourage you to mark your calendars for next year’s conference, scheduled for May 10–12, 2027. Expanding our delegation remains a priority, and our goal is to have representation from every congressional district across Wisconsin. Notably we missed representation form both our Milwaukee and Madison regions this year! Of note, WACEP also does provide some scholarship support for those attending. Your voice matters, and your participation strengthens our collective impact.
