09/13/2019
September 2019 President's Message
Summer’s over, but work on surprise billing and scope of practice is just heating up!
College football, apple picking, fantasy football leagues, and children back in school are all reminders that fall is in full swing. By now, intern residents have settled in and newly graduated residents are getting comfortable with their new roles and responsibilities. We can also tell that it’s fall because our state legislators have come back from their summer recess and our advocacy activities are once again heating up.
In July, after an intense budget process that included missed deadlines, stalled negotiations, and plenty of drama, Gov. Mike DeWine signed into law a biennial budget. Surprise billing was a major topic of discussion during the budget process, and we’re happy to report that we successfully persuaded Gov. DeWine to veto harmful surprise billing language that would have put all reimbursement decisions in the hands of insurers. Since the budget was signed into law, we have remained committed to a legislative solution to surprise billing that truly protects patients, keeps them out of the middle of billing disputes, and incentivizes fair reimbursement from insurers. We expect bipartisan legislation to be introduced as early as next week, so stay tuned for details!
Additionally, legislative work on scope of practice for nurse practitioners will be picking up in the coming weeks. With House Bill 177, NP organizations are once again requesting privileges to practice without a supervising physician. We continue to work with the entire medical community to stop this troubling legislation that threatens quality of care and patient safety. If we look around the country, it’s not hard to see what’s at stake. Other states that have granted independent practice authority to nurse practitioners have seen Emergency Departments staffed solely with NPs which is, needless to say, a serious safety issue in a highly complex practice environment with patient populations with rapidly evolving needs.
We’re excited to be working on national issues affecting emergency medicine as well, including supporting National ACEP’s work on out-of-network billing legislation on Capitol Hill. In addition, National ACEP’s Scientific Assembly (ACEP19) is coming up, October 27-30 in Denver—we hope to see you there! Ohio ACEP leaders will be arriving in Denver a couple days early for ACEP’s yearly Council Meeting. Council is ACEP’s primary deliberative body where representatives from chapters around the country help determine the future of the College, and we’re proud to represent your interests during the process.
Ohio ACEP is hard at work on your behalf year-round, and we look forward to a strong finish to a successful 2019! Thanks for the trust you place in us through your continued membership. We couldn’t do what we do without your support!
Sincerely,
Brad Raetzke, MD, MBA, FACEP
President
Ohio ACEP
braetzke@gmail.com
614-949-7633