News and Announcements
Florida Senate HearingPublish Date : 5-3-2008 Author : AEP Board of Directors
AEP Members: The AEP board of directors would like to thank all members that were present at the recent Senate Healthcare Committee hearing in Florida. We understand that some of these members traveled up to several hundred miles to attend in order to support the non-emergency medicine residency trained physicians (non-EMRT) and on such short notice. A special thanks to everyone who called or sent e-mails and letters on behalf of non-EMRT physicians. We also appreciate Bob Asztalos, lobbyist for AAPS/BCEM, who was quite helpful to the board. In addition, we would like to thank James Meade MD for his presence at the hearing and volunteering to present the letter from the AEP board of directors opposing SB 1184/HB 0509. The bills stated: A physician licensed under this chapter who completes his or her board certification after January 1, 2009, may not hold himself or herself out as a board-certified emergency physician unless the physician has received formal recognition as a specialist from the American Board of Medical Specialties or other recognizing agency approved by the board and has completed a residency or fellowship training program in emergency medicine which is approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or the American Osteopathic Association. While this would have grandfathered the present Board of Certification in Emergency Medicine (BCEM) certified physicians and the grandfathered American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) certified physicians, the BCEM organization would have no growth and the risk of diminishing membership through attrition would be harmful. If the organization was to fold, the certification would become invalid for all BCEM certified physicians. There was discussion about the bill for an hour and it was then withdrawn from consideration. The committee members were quite concerned about the effects that the bill would have on emergency medicine in the rural areas of the state. This defeat will maintain BCEM as a viable option for board certification in Florida this year. AEP will continue to support all emergency physicians regardless of training and fight for issues that are important to all emergency physicians. It is time for all ER physicians to stop fighting amongst ourselves and start working together to obtain reforms in medical malpractice, improved reimbursement and other common concerns to all. We can not overshadow more pressing issues with these same arguments each year. Important points from this recent success in Florida include involvement in the legislative process by donating to your PAC, getting to know your legislators and participating in any pertinent hearings. In addition, BCEM certified physicians need to get involved in order to maintain the validity of this certification and other non-EMRT physicians should consider taking the BCEM exam as their only alternative for emergency medicine certification. Members also need to be involved in AEP including fellowship (this may be the only means for fellowship from a national emergency medicine organization for some physicians and has quite stringent criteria). Fellowship is another way for our members to distinguish themselves from other emergency physicians and demonstrate their commitment and expertise in emergency medicine. For those who are eligible, get involved at the local and national level of ACEP. We can only make a difference, if we get involved. AEP Board of Directors