Congressman John Joyce, M.D. from Pennsylvania and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell from Michigan have introduced new legislation aimed at reducing wait times in emergency departments across the United States. The proposed bill, known as H.R. 2936 or the Addressing Boarding and Crowding in the Emergency Department (ABC-ED) Act, seeks to enhance the efficiency of emergency care delivery.
“Throughout the country, American patients cannot receive the care they need due to the lack of open hospital beds and long wait times, which have only increased due to the physician shortage,” stated Rep. John Joyce, M.D. He further explained that by utilizing public health data modernization grants for systems tracking hospital capacity, solutions can be implemented to reduce patient wait times.
Rep. Debbie Dingell highlighted a critical issue: “Too many people have died waiting for a spot in the emergency room while beds sat empty at a hospital down the street.” She emphasized that this legislation will enable public health departments to use advanced technology for preparedness and response, ensuring patients access timely and adequate care.
The problem arises when inpatient hospital beds are full, leading patients to remain in emergency departments longer than intended—97% reported boarding times exceeding 24 hours. This situation causes delays for new ICU patients and forces emergency department nurses to manage excessive workloads. Additionally, it hinders first responders’ ability to transfer patients promptly.
To address these challenges, the ABC-ED Act proposes several measures: expanding real-time tracking of hospital bed capacity; authorizing pilot programs through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Innovation Center; and studying how capacity tracking impacts delays in care.
