I hope this message finds you enjoying a wonderful summertime with friends and family. As we embark on this summer season, I want to share a brief update on key advocacy efforts led by NAEMSP leadership. During our recent visit to Washington, D.C., for our Government Relations Academy, we focused on several key priorities that require our collective attention and support:
- DEA Final Rule: We are circulating a bipartisan letter led by Reps. Richard Hudson (R-NC) and Steve Cohen (D-TN) encouraging the Attorney General to finalize a long-overdue statutory framework for EMS to distribute controlled substances with appropriate Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) oversight. Please reach out to your member of congress and ask them to sign this bipartisan letter. You can find more information on this issue here.
- MedPAC Study: We are requesting that the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) collect the necessary information to support a future EMS system where EMS medical directors receive appropriate compensation for their critical oversight work.
- PAHPA Reauthorization: We are actively addressing needed reforms in the reauthorization of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) or through other legislative vehicles. These reforms include tackling the ongoing crisis with EMS drug shortages. By advocating for these reforms, we can strengthen our preparedness and response capabilities.
I want to express my sincere gratitude to all the members who participated in this year's Government Relations Academy including attending visits in Capitol Hill. Your active engagement and participation are critical to drive our advocacy efforts forward. I am immensely grateful for your dedication and commitment.
Let us not forget that advocacy extends beyond the national level. We are witnessing a significant increase in state legislative activities that could have adverse effects on the practice of EMS medicine. In response, the NAEMSP Board of Directors continues to support our chapters’ efforts in responding to these local legislative activities. We are currently exploring options to provide further infrastructure support to our state chapters in their advocacy endeavors. Together, we will work tirelessly to protect the interests of our profession and the patients we serve. Advocacy serves as a powerful tool not only to inform policymakers about the pressing issues we face in our specialty, but also to amplify the voices of our clinicians and patients. By actively engaging in advocacy efforts, we can bring about positive change and shape policies that directly impact our ability to care for patients.
I want to thank each and every one of you for your unwavering commitment to our patients and our specialty. Your efforts are the driving force behind positive change and progress. I encourage you to stay informed, stay engaged, and continue advocating for our profession's needs.