ICEP takes Capitol Hill at LAC

Members of the Illinois College of Emergency Physicians (ICEP) recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to represent emergency physicians and their patients at the ACEP Leadership and Advocacy Conference 2026, hosted by the American College of Emergency Physicians.

This annual conference brings emergency physicians from across the country together to engage directly with lawmakers on the most urgent issues facing emergency medicine today. For ICEP members, participation is about more than policy—it’s about ensuring your access to timely, high-quality emergency care.

Standing Up for Emergency Care

Demand for emergency services continues to surge nationwide, placing unprecedented strain on emergency departments and the physicians who staff them. During LAC26, ICEP members met with bipartisan legislators to advocate for practical, immediate solutions that protect both patients and providers.

Key priorities included:

• Addressing the Boarding Crisis
  Emergency departments are increasingly overcrowded, with patients waiting hours—or even days—for inpatient beds. ICEP is pushing for system-wide solutions to reduce dangerous delays in care.
• Protecting the Emergency Medicine Workforce
  Physician burnout and workforce shortages threaten the stability of emergency care. ICEP is advocating for policies that support recruitment, retention, and physician well-being.
• Preserving Medicare’s Promise
  Ongoing reimbursement cuts to Medicare jeopardize access to care, particularly for vulnerable populations. ICEP is working to ensure fair and sustainable payment models that maintain patient access.

Turning Advocacy Into Action

In addition to meetings on Capitol Hill, ICEP members participated in policy briefings and strategy sessions focused on the future of healthcare. These sessions equipped attendees with the latest insights and tools to effectively communicate the realities of emergency medicine to decision-makers.

By sharing frontline experiences and data, ICEP members are helping shape legislation that directly impacts your care—whether it’s reducing wait times in the ER, ensuring hospitals remain staffed, or protecting access to essential services.