Congressmen Mike Lawler and Adriano Espaillat have reintroduced the Streamline Emergency Care Act, a bipartisan initiative aimed at improving emergency room operations across the United States. The bill proposes a grant program designed to provide additional resources to emergency departments, with the goal of reducing wait times and enhancing the quality of care.
The proposed legislation allows for grant funds to be used in various ways, including hiring more healthcare workers, repurposing hospital spaces, implementing new processes, purchasing equipment, and providing training to increase capacity at existing emergency rooms.
“As emergency room wait times continue to rise, it’s clear that we need targeted, practical solutions to address capacity and efficiency challenges,” said Congressman Lawler. He emphasized that the bill’s grant program is crucial for strengthening emergency care infrastructure and ensuring timely care for New Yorkers.
Congressman Espaillat echoed these sentiments: “Increased emergency room wait times have become far too common in New York and across the country. Our bill establishes a new grant program to help ER facilities around the nation expand and modernize their existing operations.”
The Greater New York Hospital Association has expressed strong support for the bill. Kenneth E. Raske, President of the association, stated that hospitals are facing dual crises of inflation and labor shortages and need federal support to maintain high-quality emergency care services.
Dr. Angela Mills from Columbia University Irving Medical Center highlighted the importance of additional funding for emergency departments: “Providing care for approximately 140 million patient visits annually… I want to thank Congressman Lawler and Congressman Espaillat for introducing this very important piece of legislation.”
Bea Grause from the Healthcare Association of New York State also praised the act: “Hospital emergency departments are critical access points for healthcare in communities across the state… The Streamlining Emergency Care Act will help improve efficiencies.”
Wendy D. Darwell from Suburban Hospital Alliance noted that financial challenges make it difficult for hospitals to invest in necessary upgrades but thanked Congressmen Lawler and Espaillat for addressing this urgent need.
Elizabeth Golden from NYU Langone Health remarked on how this opportunity could enhance their capacity: “This provides a great opportunity for NYU Langone to increase capacity in our emergency departments.”
Alison Haddock from the American College of Emergency Physicians described the act as a “thoughtful, targeted effort” needed by emergency physicians.
The Streamline Emergency Care Act has garnered endorsements from several organizations including Greater New York Hospital Association, Healthcare Association of New York State, Suburban Hospital Alliance of New York State, Children’s Hospital Association, American College of Emergency Physicians among others.
Congressman Lawler represents New York’s 17th Congressional District and was recognized as one of the most effective freshman lawmakers in his term.
