On this episode of ACEP Frontline, Dr. Ryan Stanton sits down with political analyst and publisher of Inside Elections, Nathan Gonzales, for a timely discussion on the current political landscape in Washington, DC, and what it means for healthcare and emergency medicine. Recorded during ACEP’s Leadership and Advocacy Conference, the conversation explores the aftermath of recent elections, the shifting balance of power on Capitol Hill, and the key issues driving decision-making in Congress and the administration. Gonzales provides insight into the political environment, the challenges facing lawmakers, and the factors that will shape upcoming election cycles. The discussion also highlights what physicians and healthcare advocates should expect moving forward, offering valuable perspective on how the political climate influences healthcare policy, advocacy efforts, and the future of emergency medicine.

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ACEP26

From the halls of Holy Cross College and the Massachusetts ACEP Conference, ACEP Frontline talks with Dr. Lauren Westafer for a high-yield discussion on two of emergency medicine’s most impactful diagnoses: aortic dissection and pulmonary embolism. Dr. Westafer breaks down the evolving evidence behind D-dimer testing, including the 2026 practice-changing data and ACEP clinical policy updates supporting the use of the Aortic Dissection Detection Risk Score combined with D-dimer to help safely risk stratify select patients with suspected acute aortic syndromes. The conversation explores how this approach may reduce unnecessary advanced imaging while maintaining patient safety, along with practical pearls for identifying the patients who still warrant immediate CTA evaluation. The episode also reviews modern pulmonary embolism diagnosis and management, discussing risk stratification, and disposition decisions. It is a practical, evidence-based conversation focused on improving diagnostic accuracy, reducing over-testing, and delivering high-value emergency care.

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ACEP26

Recorded live at the ACEP Leadership and Advocacy Conference, this episode of ACEP Frontline features a timely conversation with Dr. Sean Michael, Regional Chief Medical Officer for Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. As emergency departments across the country continue to face unprecedented crowding, prolonged boarding, staffing strain, and access challenges, Dr. Michael joins us to discuss how CMS is viewing the crisis and what potential policy “levers” may help address the growing nationwide problem. From hospital throughput and inpatient capacity to quality measures and accountability, we explore how federal policy could influence meaningful change for patients, physicians, hospitals, and the emergency care system as a whole.

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ACEP26

On this episode of ACEP Frontline, Ryan Stanton discusses the growing national conversation surrounding the corporate practice of medicine (CPOM) and Oregon’s landmark SB 951 legislation. Using the recent PeaceHealth news in Eugene as a backdrop, Dr. Stanton breaks down what CPOM means, why states are increasingly examining corporate influence in healthcare, and how Oregon lawmakers, led by Ben Bowman, crafted one of the strongest physician autonomy laws in the country. The episode explores the intent behind the legislation, including protecting independent medical judgment, preserving the physician-patient relationship, and limiting non-clinical interference in care decisions. Dr. Stanton also highlights the role of the Oregon Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians and emergency physicians in shaping the discussion, while examining the broader implications these legislative efforts may have for emergency medicine, healthcare access, staffing models, and physician-led patient care nationwide.

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ACEP26

In this episode of ACEP Frontline, we sit down with Dr. David Carlberg to discuss eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), an increasingly recognized inflammatory condition of the esophagus that can present with food impactions, difficulty swallowing, chest discomfort, and chronic reflux-like symptoms. Dr. Carlberg breaks down the underlying causes of EoE, including the role of allergic and immune-mediated responses, while highlighting the importance of recognizing the condition in both pediatric and adult patients presenting to the emergency department. The conversation also explores diagnostic considerations and current management strategies ranging from dietary modifications and proton pump inhibitors to topical steroids and endoscopic interventions. The episode wraps with a reminder for emergency physicians to check out the ACEP POC Smart Phrase on EoE for practical bedside guidance and streamlined documentation support.

Supported by Sanofi.

Mentioned in this episode:

ACEP26

In this episode of ACEP Frontline, we sit down with Dr. Aaron Kuzel from the University of Louisville to discuss one of the most pressing challenges in healthcare today, protecting and expanding access to emergency care in rural America. From hospital closures and workforce shortages to increasing healthcare deserts across the country, rural communities continue to face growing barriers to timely emergency treatment. Dr. Kuzel shares his perspective on the critical role emergency physicians play in ensuring high-quality, lifesaving care regardless of a patient’s ZIP code. The conversation explores why physician-led emergency care matters, the unique challenges facing smaller and rural emergency departments, and how advocacy at the state and national level is essential to preserving access for vulnerable populations. We also dive into the role of organized emergency medicine through American College of Emergency Physicians and how advocacy efforts are shaping policies focused on patient safety, workforce development, reimbursement, and sustainable rural healthcare systems. Whether discussing boarding, transfer delays, or maintaining specialty access in underserved regions, this episode highlights why emergency medicine remains the healthcare safety net for communities large and small. It’s a timely and important conversation about the future of emergency care, and the ongoing fight to ensure every patient has access to physician-led emergency medicine when they need it most.

Mentioned in this episode:

ACEP26

At the 2026 ACEP Leadership and Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C., The Frontline sits down with emergency physicians turned state legislators Arvind Venkat and Tim Reeder for a candid conversation about bringing frontline experience into the halls of government. From balancing overnight shifts with legislative sessions to navigating the realities of healthcare policy, both physicians share how emergency medicine uniquely prepares doctors to advocate for patients beyond the bedside. The discussion explores the challenges of policy making, the importance of physician voices in government, and how emergency physicians can influence meaningful change at the local, state, and national levels.

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ACEP26

In this episode of ACEP Frontline, we sit down with Joseph Leary, DO, MPH, to explore how a single decision in a rural community can ripple across an entire health care system. Early in his career, while working as an emergency physician in the small mining town of Craig, Colorado, Dr. Leary witnessed the abrupt closure of a labor and delivery unit at a critical access hospital, an event that would shape his path into health policy and advocacy.

He shares how that closure didn’t just affect obstetric care, but fundamentally altered emergency preparedness in the region. With fewer resources, physician departures, and pregnant patients left without local options, the impact was immediate and far-reaching.

Dr. Leary reflects on that pivotal moment and how it sparked a deeper question: how can frontline physicians influence the systems that shape patient care? His journey offers a powerful look at the intersection of emergency medicine, rural health, and policy, and why physician voices are essential in these conversations.

This episode highlights the real-world consequences of health care decisions and the growing need for advocacy to protect access and outcomes in vulnerable communities.

Mentioned in this episode:

ACEP26

In this episode of ACEP Frontline, we hear from longtime friend of the show, Dr. Jason Adler, one of the most knowledgeable and respected voices in the world of revenue cycle management (RCM). Dr. Adler pulls back the curtain on the increasingly complex and often frustrating tactics used by insurers, including downcoding, denials, and other strategies that directly impact emergency physicians and the care we provide.

This is more than a conversation about billing, it’s a deep dive into the financial realities that shape emergency medicine today. Dr. Adler breaks down how these “insurer games” work, why they matter, and how they ultimately affect not just physician compensation, but the sustainability of emergency departments across the country.

Understanding how your paycheck comes together is no longer optional, it’s essential. As corporate payers continue to prioritize profits, often at the expense of frontline care, physicians must be informed, engaged, and ready to advocate. This episode equips you with the insight needed to recognize these challenges and reinforces the importance of continuing the fight for fair reimbursement and the value of emergency medicine.

If you’ve ever wondered where your work and your worth gets lost in the system, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

This is from Colorado ACEP and their conference.

Mentioned in this episode:

ACEP26