State and federal officials can reduce the burden on emergency departments by expanding patient access to private health insurance, separating emergency services planning from hospital planning, promoting private-sector alternatives for urgent care, and freeing hospitals to specialize in non-emergency medical care, but reform of emergency medical systems should be primarily a state responsibility.

State and federal officials can reduce the burden on emergency departments by expanding patient access to private health insurance, separating emergency services planning from hospital planning, promoting private-sector alternatives for urgent care, and freeing hospitals to specialize in non-emergency medical care, but reform of emergency medical systems should be primarily a state responsibility.