WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) applauds the introduction of federal legislation to protect emergency physicians’ right to due process in the workplace if they are employed by a third party.

The bipartisan bill, introduced by Rep. Chris Collins (R-N.Y./27) and Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-Calif./36), would preserve the ability for emergency physicians to strongly advocate for patients by avoiding the mandatory waiver of due process rights which many emergency physicians are forced to comply with as a condition of employment.

“On behalf of more than 38,000 emergency physicians, emergency medicine residents, and medical students, the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) is proud to support Congressman Collins’ and Congressman Ruiz’s legislation to ensure every emergency physician has medical staff due process rights,” said Paul Kivela, MD, MBA, FACEP, President of the American College of Emergency Physicians. “This is an important safeguard that will ensure all emergency physicians have access to a fair due process procedure.”

This bill follows a June 2018 letter urging the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to protect due process rights for emergency physicians, signed by ACEP and other leading emergency medicine groups: the American Academy of Emergency Medicine, the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians, the American Osteopathic Association, the American College of Medical Toxicology, the Council of Emergency Medicine Residency Directors, the Emergency Medicine Residency Association and the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine.

If passed, this bill would strengthen the voice of emergency physicians and add an important workplace protection so that any concerns about patient care, safety or other issues can be addressed appropriately. A copy of the bill, HR 6372, is available here.