ED physicians say visits continue to rise

Three-quarters of emergency physicians say the volume of emergency department visits has increased since January 2014, when the Affordable Care Act required all Americans to have health insurance or pay a tax penalty, according to a new survey by the American College of Emergency Physicians. About 90% of respondents say the severity of illness or injury among emergency patients has either increased or remained the same. “The reliance on emergency care remains stronger than ever,” said ACEP President Michael Gerardi, M.D. “It’s the only place that’s open 24/7, and we never turn anyone away.” Asked what would happen if federal subsidies for health insurance coverage were eliminated in their state, 42% of respondents said they would expect emergency visits to increase and 65% said they would expect reimbursement for emergency care to decrease. The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule next month in King v. Burwell, which asks whether subsidies are available for patients in the 34 states whose health insurance exchanges are federally facilitated.