b'PEP-PAC UpdateBy Michael Boyd, MDIn 2022, Pennsylvania authorized $100Court eliminating the MCARE rule, as million to be spent to address mentalof January 2023, plaintiff attorneys are health in PA.That money has not yetnow free to sue in any Pennsylvania been allocated and PACEP needs tocounty in which care occurred, where be part of the conversation.The ED isa defendant could be served, or where the fulcrum bearing the weight of ourany transaction or occurrence giving failed mental health system.Houserise to the suit took place. Plaintiff Bill 849, authored by state Rep. Mikeattorneys have already started bringing Schlossberg, D-Lehigh, would taketheir cases to Philadelphia County in money from one-time federal Americandroves. Philadelphia county jury verdicts Rescue Plan funding and allocate it alongaverage higher than twice the national recommendations made by the newlyaverage, and plaintiffs are more than formed Behavioral Health Commission ontwice as likely to win in Philadelphia Michael Boyd, MDAdult Mental Health in the state Generalcompared to the national average. PEP-PAC Chair Assembly.This bill passed the PA-HouseVenue shopping will increase insurance in June 2023, but final details are yet topremiums, drive physicians out of the The Pennsylvania Emergencybe determined.PACEP needs Emergencystate, increase cost of care, and limit Physicians Political ActionPhysicians giving practical, concreteaccess to health-care, especially for Committee (PEP-PAC) is the lobbyingsolutions to our lawmakers so that thewomen, by forcing the closure of highly arm of PACEP. At its core, lobbyingmoney is allocated effectively.PEP-PAC islitigated fields (such as OBGYN).is a means of educating legislatorsa means to that end.about issues affecting us. PEP- In August of 2022, The PA SupremePEP-PAC needs your contributions PAC uses its resources to attendCourt enacted a procedural changeso that our voices can be heard. fundraisers with lawmakers onthat brings a return of venue shoppingThese problems face us every both sides of the aisle, fosteringfor medical malpractice cases.In 2002,single shift, and we are the experts relationships with them so that theyPennsylvania was suffering from auniquely positioned to present real can draw on our expertise regardingmedical malpractice crises of frivoloussolutions. Remember: you either healthcare issues. lawsuits. In response, the MCAREhave a seat at the dinner table or Act was enacted mandating thatyou are on the dinner plate.Mental Health, Non-compete Clausesmalpractice claims only be initiated and venue shopping are key issuesin the county where the malpractice in front of the PA Legislature. It istook place.This law reduced theDONATE NOW imperative that we make our voicesaverage annual number of malpractice heard regarding these issues.cases from 2700 prior to 2002 to 1500 afterwards.Secondary to the Supreme PACEP HAS A STORE!Get the latest in PACEP gearJackets and Vests embroidered with the PACEP Logo. Personalization is also available.Visit doc-mom.com/collections/pacep-apparelPACEP News | Spring 2024 15'