A new bill being introduced this week in Congress would kick off a new program intended to help create a more efficient emergency care system in the U.S. The "Improving Emergency Medical Care and Response Act of 2007," sponsored by Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) and Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), would provide for the development of four demonstration programs focused on developing a "regionalized, accountable" emergency care system. As part of the programs, researchers would gather data that could be used to improve coordination, efficiency and effectiveness of emergency care programs elsewhere in the U.S. The new bill also would support emergency medical research throughout the federal government.
The bill serves as a complement to the Emergency Medical Services Act, introduced early this year, which creates a commission tasked with studying access to emergency medical services, and possibly creating boarding and diversion standards for EDs.
To learn more about the bill:
- read this ACEP press release
- read Obama's press release
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