Happy New Year!
Dear NERUCA Members,
As we begin 2026, we want to thank you for your continued engagement and commitment to advancing urgent care medicine across the Northeast and beyond.
The past year was marked by growth, collaboration, and momentum—and we’re proud to celebrate that progress together. With your support, we strengthened NERUCA’s role as a trusted voice and resource for the urgent care community. Below are a few highlights from 2025.
| 2025 Annual Conference Success
A special thank you to our Education Committee Co-Chairs, Ryan Sadlier and Dr. Rajesh Geria, and to the entire Conference Planning Subcommittee for their leadership, vision, and dedication in bringing this event to life. |
 Public Health: Building Readiness Across Urgent Care
Our Public Health Committee advanced urgent care’s role in preparedness and response by developing practical, urgent care–specific tools and strengthening partnerships across the public health ecosystem. This work included the launch of a Pediatric Readiness Checklist designed for urgent care settings, emergency preparedness learning sessions, first-of-its-kind infrastructure for an emergency SMS alert system, increased collaboration with city and state health departments, active participation in local healthcare coalitions, and sharing this work on a national stage at NHCPC25. Thank you to our Public Health Committee Chair, Dr. John Kulin, for his leadership, and to our dedicated Public Health Committee members and partners at NYC DOH, NYC HCC, NJDOH, NJ HCC, and others for their collaboration and support. |
 Educational Programming: Practical Insights for Urgent Care Leaders
Our Education Committee delivered a robust slate of webinars providing urgent care leaders with actionable strategies to address clinical, operational, and financial challenges—from optimizing patient flow and lab services to leveraging AI, strengthening revenue cycle performance, and future-proofing their centers in an increasingly competitive landscape. Missed a session? Subscribe to our YouTube channel to access recorded webinars and ongoing educational content. A special thank you to our Education Committee members for their collaboration and support. |
 Payor Relations: Informing Policy Through the Urgent Care Perspective
Our Payor Relations Committee addressed reimbursement challenges impacting urgent care sustainability and patient access in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape. This work included expanded advocacy with legislators, direct engagement with payor stakeholders and data transparency groups, and the launch of a public-facing social media campaign to educate patients and policymakers on emerging payor practices. Notably, following a meeting with Assemblymember Jacobson, legislation (A9099) was introduced shortly thereafter to address payment equity in arrangements involving insurer-owned providers. A big shoutout to Payor Relations Committee Chair, Dr. Faisal Ashraf, for leading this work, and to our dedicated Payor Relations Committee members for their efforts and support. Interested in contributing? Email [email protected]for more info. |
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 The Committee also engaged policymakers through spring Lobby Days and launched a statewide grassroots advocacy campaign to advance limited-scope X-ray legislation, addressing critical workforce challenges. In addition, coordinated advocacy by NERUCA members helped secure a fourth consecutive veto of the Grieving Families Act, protecting patient access to urgent care and the sustainability of independent medical practices across New York. |
 A major milestone was achieved in Massachusetts, where on December 10 the Public Health Council voted to amend 105 CMR 125.000 (Licensing of Radiologic Technologists) to establish a pathway for Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography—supporting urgent care access to limited X-ray technologists. Massachusetts also formally recognized the impact of urgent care, with Governor Maura Healey signing a proclamation declaring October 1, 2025, as Urgent Care Appreciation Day across the Commonwealth.
On a national level, NERUCA partnered with industry leaders to support supply chain stability and tariff relief for critical medical supplies and joined advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill to promote more equitable reimbursement models with CMS. Thank you to Government Affairs Committee Chair, Dr. Jonathan Halpert, our dedicated Government Affairs Committee members, and our friends at the Massachusetts Urgent Care Association, UCA, MSSNY, MSNJ, and others for their collaboration and leadership throughout the year. |
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