Virginia Governor Tim Kaine announced the appointment of an eight member commission to study the tragedy that occured April 16 in Blacksburg.

Among the experts appointed was VACEP member Marcus L. Martin, MD, FACEP, Charlottesville. This was excellent news; he will represent our specialty and the entire emergency care system, very well. The commission is charged with studying the Tech murders and developing a report and any recommendations by this Fall.

VACEP has also offered to be a resource going forward. And members can also take action on the local level. Let us know what you are doing.

• Greg Christiansen, DO, FACOEP, made phone calls and sent emails to legislators. This is a fine example of what the Community of Empowered Emergency Physicians can do to help move our advocacy agenda forward in a positive and proactive way by championing the needs of your patients.

Unfortunately, tragedy is often a change catalyst. This sad event will no doubt bring a myriad of proposals from every conceivable angle, not counting the Governor's newly appointed commission, to the coming General Assembly. Put on your white hats everyone, and follow Greg’s lead of contacting your Delegate and Senate members to highlight the problems you encounter on a daily basis trying to do the right thing for your patients, with EMTALA hanging over your head, and offer to be a resource to them about the issue.

Gary Kavit, MD, FACEP, has been an excellent advocate for emergency physicians on the Governor’s Interagency Civil Admissions Advisory Council. All stakeholder organizations represented thereon share our desires for changes in the system and increased funding for mental health services. Virginia’s system is very complex, and stakeholder proposed solutions prior to establishment of the ICAAC often merely shifted the burden of care on another also-burdened stakeholder. Prior to Gary’s involvement on our behalf, none had heard of or did not understood EMTALA, but that is no longer the case. Finding a balance among the various stakeholder groups while providing the best care for patients within the system is difficult. Much progress has been made, but more is needed and it does take time. See related page...

Each of you should look for opportunities to participate in local behavioral health commissions or committees that already exist, and others that may now be formed, in each of your communities.

AND, get to know your legislators! Build strong relationships now so you can be part of the solution for positive change.

Additional resources and information:

Supreme Court of Virginia's Commission on Mental Health Law Reform

From ACEP State Legislative Services Director Craig Price:

• "Gwen,   Great work on the part of Dr. Christiansen.  Hopefully others will take up the cause.  Just so you know, the State Leg Committee put together an information paper last year, including various model laws, related to physician authority to involuntarily hold psychiatric patients.  That paper is attached.  Also the Practice Committee, with assistance from the State Leg Committee, are currently working on an expanded objective on emergency psychiatric care.  The subcommittee currently working on the objective hopes to identify resources that can assist chapters in pursuing potential legislative approaches to the problem and assist physicians through identification and sharing of efforts within hospitals to mitigate problems caused by the lack of psych beds and other issues.   I'm sure they would be interested in assisting your efforts in whatever way they can and in following any progress that may be made in Virginia.  Please let me know if there is anything we can do to help.  And thanks very much for forwarding this message to me."   -Craig

From California colleague, Dr. Paul Kivela:

• " I don’t know if this will help anyone.  Once I heard about the Virginia Tech tragedy, I figured it was a good time to check to see our current status.  This is what our Leg Analyst came up with.  Please let me know if California can help in any way. God Bless." Paul

5150 Holds and Firearms eligibility in California