Advocates for Evidence-Based Health Policy Speakers
Author: Emergency Medicine Residents' Association
As emergency physicians, we care for all members of society, and as such have a unique vantage point on the state of health care. What we find frustrating in our EDs – such as inadequate social services, the dearth of primary care providers, and the lack of mental health services – are universal problems. As EM residents and fellows, we learn the management of myocardial infarctions and traumas, and how to intubate, but we are not taught how health policy affects all aspects of our experience in the ED. Furthermore, given our unique position in the health care system, we have an incredible opportunity to advocate for our patients, for society, and for physicians. Yet, with so many competing interests vying for our conference education time, advocacy is often not included in the curricula. This is the gap this initiative aims to fill. Each month, you will see a review of a new health policy article and how it is applicable to emergency physicians.
Following up Your Patients Cuts Returns
The meteoric rise in healthcare costs in the United States is in part attributed to the rise in emergency department (ED) visits for primary care treatable illness and other low acuity visits. These visits place additional strain on EDs already Continue Reading …
Medicaid Managed Care Cuts ED Visits
Discussion about how the publicly insured encounter and use American health care has long dominated conversation around the social safety net. Since the inception and implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) both proponents and opponents of its policies have Continue Reading …
Myths about ED Overuse by the Uninsured
An oft-cited argument in favor of expanding Medicaid coverage is that the uninsured consume a disproportionate share of emergency department (“ED”) resources, causing overcrowding and dangerously increased wait times. A recent article in Health Policy, however, challenges this widely-held assumption. Continue Reading …
The Emergency Department’s Role is Critical
How much does the emergency department contribute to healthcare delivery in the United States? Do our policies reflect the emergency department’s current role? This study assessed the contribution of emergency departments to the health care received in the United States Continue Reading …
Keeping it in the Community
In order to address rising costs and improve quality of care, federal and state health policy continues to shift away from traditional fee-for-service to value-based payment methods. This shift towards reimbursing based on health outcomes incentivizes health systems to focus Continue Reading …
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