b'EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE go back to page 1PACEP responded immediately. We engaged ACEPas a clinical support tool, not a replacement for for guidance and drafted a letter to Highmarkphysician judgment or the decision-making of outlining our concerns and questioning theother healthcare professionals.proposed policy. We highlighted the potentialPACEP continues to monitor this legislation as impact on emergency physicians, emergencyit evolves and stands ready to provide ongoing departments, and an already strained healthcareinput and advocacy on this issue.system. With ACEPs support, we shared the letter with the Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) and the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical AssociationBuilding Bridges Over Coffee(POMA), both of which signed on in support. In late January, PACEP hosted another successful Highmark responded, clarifying that its LowCoffee Talk, this time with Representative Acuity Non-Emergency (LANE) downcodingBridget M. Kosierowski (House District 114), who process will be based on the presentingrepresents Lackawanna County. We learned that diagnosis, and agreeing to delay implementation.Rep. Kosierowski comes from a family of medical They also offered to meet with us, opening aprofessionals and spent many years as a nurse direct line of communication with PACEP. Whilebefore transitioning into government service. we appreciate this engagement, we have learnedShe understands medicine, and the challenges the policy extends beyond Pennsylvania. PACEPwe regularly face, and connects deeply with is now working with the Delaware, New York, andmany of the issues we advocate for, including West Virginia chapters, along with national ACEP,test result notification, emergency department to ensure a coordinated, multi-state responseovercrowding, and hospital closures driven by and advocate for appropriate reimbursement forprivate equity, among others.the emergency care we provide, 24/7/365. This Coffee Talk is another example of how PACEP members can directly engage with state Supporting the Use of AI inlegislators and build meaningful relationships. Healthcare With AppropriateThese connections strengthen our advocacy Safeguards efforts and may prove valuable as we continue to champion emergency medicine.Earlier in 2025, PACEP reviewed an initial draft of HB 1925, Artificial Intelligence Regulation inPhysician-led Emergency Healthcare, and provided critical feedback andDepartments" We supported the use ofproposed edits. In December,As you may recall, PACEP identified as a key PACEP followed up withpriority this past year the development of artificial intelligence asboth written and in-personlegislation to ensure that a physician is available testimony before the Housein every emergency department across the a clinical support tool,Communications and not a replacement forTechnology Committee inCommonwealth. We were fortunate to leverage support of the bill. ACEPs model legislation and incorporate key physician judgment or theelements from states that have successfully decision-making of otherOur testimony acknowledgedenacted similar laws. We are hopeful that by the healthcare professionals. the importance of healthcaretime this newsletter is published, the bill has keeping pace with rapidlybeen formally introduced.evolving technologies, whilePACEP is proud to be at the forefront of this effort, emphasizing the need for appropriate safeguards.which is gaining momentum nationally as several We supported the use of artificial intelligence 6 PACEP News'